Federal authorities have declared an economic disaster in response to wildfires that devastated parts of Interior Alaska during the summer. The fires, ignited by lightning in mid-June, burned for weeks along the Parks Highway between Healy and Fairbanks, destroying at least 86 structures, including 16 primary homes.
Local businesses experienced financial setbacks due to extended highway closures and heavy smoke, which disrupted the critical summer tourism season. Denali Borough Mayor Chris Noel emphasized the significance of even short-term revenue losses, noting that Alaska’s tourism window is brief and highly sensitive to disruptions.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans for small enterprises and private nonprofit organizations that suffered economic harm from the Bear Creek Fire Group and Nenana Ridge Complex. The declaration follows a formal request from Governor Mike Dunleavy, who issued a state-level disaster declaration in late June.
In the Denali Borough, officials reported 90 destroyed structures, including 42 residences or cabins. The Fairbanks North Star Borough faced prolonged highway shutdowns and large-scale evacuations affecting hundreds of residents. The economic injury designation now covers not only these two regions but also the Mat-Su, Northwest Arctic, and North Slope boroughs, as well as several educational attendance areas including Yukon-Koyukuk, Bering Strait, Delta/Greely, Iditarod Area REAA, and Yukon Flats.
Eligibility for SBA assistance requires documented proof of fire-related financial loss. While the fire season is subsiding due to cooler and wetter conditions, over 1 million acres have burned across 435 separate incidents.
Affected businesses can apply for loans online or contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or via email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The deadline to submit economic injury applications is May 20.
— news from Anchorage Daily News
— News Original —
Federal economic disaster declared in wake of Interior Alaska wildfires
Federal officials have issued an economic-disaster declaration in response to wildfires that scorched Interior Alaska this summer. n nThe lightning-sparked fires flared to life in mid-June and burned for weeks along the Parks Highway between Healy and Fairbanks, destroying at least 86 structures, including 16 primary residences. n nLocal businesses took a hit as prolonged highway delays and smoke-filled skies led to lost income from interrupted summer tourism. n n“With our short tourism season … the impacts of lost revenue from just a couple weeks of a four-month season are meaningful,” Denali Borough Mayor Chris Noel said Monday. n nThe U.S. Small Business Administration announced Thursday that low-interest federal disaster loans would be available for small businesses and private nonprofit organizations that sustained economic losses caused by the Bear Creek Fire Group and Nenana Ridge Complex. n nSBA officials said they issued the disaster declaration in response to a request from Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who issued a disaster declaration for fires in the area in late June. n nIn the Denali Borough, fires destroyed 90 structures, including 42 homes or cabins, officials said. Fires in the Fairbanks North Star Borough prompted lengthy Parks Highway closures. Fires in both regions led to lengthy evacuation notices that covered hundreds of people. n nThe new “economic injury” declaration includes not only the Denali and Fairbanks North Star boroughs but the Mat-Su, Northwest Arctic and North Slope boroughs as well. It also applies to Yukon-Koyukuk, Bering Strait, Delta/Greely, Iditarod Area REAA, and Yukon Flats educational attendance areas. n nNumerous sectors may be eligible, but any applicants for low-interest loans provided through the disaster will have to document impact from the fires, Noel said. n nAlaska’s fire season appears to be winding down as cooler, rainy weather returns. Just over 1 million acres have burned in 435 fires. n nSBA loan applicants can apply online or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information. n nThe deadline to return economic injury applications to the SBA is May 20.