MORGAN HILL, Calif. -- The U.S. Small Business Association has declared the site of Santa Clara County's destructive Croy Fire a disaster area, making victims of the fire eligible for low-interest government loans.

The Croy Fire burned more than 3,000 acres of woodland in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains west of Morgan Hill before it was brought under control on Oct. 5, almost two weeks after it was sparked accidentally.

Deemed the third-largest wildfire ever in Santa Clara County, the Croy Fire destroyed 34 homes and damaged four others. The state, using more than 2,000 firefighters, spent an estimated $8.8 million to fight the blaze, while property damage has been estimated at around $3.5 million.

The U.S. Small Business Administration on Friday granted the Governor's Office of Emergency Services' request to declare the Croy Fire site a disaster area so that residents affected would be eligible to apply for disaster loans.

The SBA opened a disaster office in Morgan Hill on Saturday.

For more information call SBA at (800) 488-5323.