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The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today announced special tax relief for California taxpayers affected by the recent California wildfires. “The Franchise Tax Board can help the victims of these wildfires,” said State Controller and FTB Chair John Chiang.

Last week, a wildfire in Colorado, fueled by extremely dry conditions and strong winds, burned 14 square miles of prairie grass and crops and damaged or destroyed 24 buildings, including several homes leaving many disaster victims in its wake. Two emergency responders died.

The state of Colorado provided Crowley County $500,000 for disaster response and FEMA approved Colorado’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant which would pay 75% of the state’s eligible firefighting costs.

On Thursday, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter asked for a disaster declaration for Crowley County, the town of Ordway and surrounding communities from the federal Small Business Administration.

If the SBA agrees, homeowners and businesses found eligible will be able to apply for low interest, fixed rate loans based on the actual cost of repairing or replacing homes, personal property and businesses minus any insurance settlements or other reimbursements or grants.