Airbnb Offers Free Stays For People In Wildfire-Ravaged California

Willa Frej

More than 900 hosts on Airbnb have opened their homes at no cost to people in northern California fleeing the devastating wildfires or working in relief efforts.

“Our hosts asked us to create a way for them to be seen as a resource by those in need, and we have,” the company said on its website. “When the tool is activated, Airbnb automatically contacts hosts in the impacted and surrounding areas asking if they have extra space to share with their displaced neighbors. Hosts who respond choose to list their spaces free of charge, and Airbnb waives all booking fees.”

The program went into effect earlier this month as the fires spread rapidly. Airbnb expanded the program Tuesday to the city of Santa Rosa and said the free stays would be available until Oct. 30.

Firefighters battle a wildfire near Santa Rosa, California, U.S., October 14, 2017.  (Photo: Jim Urquhart / Reuters)
Firefighters battle a wildfire near Santa Rosa, California, U.S., October 14, 2017.  (Photo: Jim Urquhart / Reuters)

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced either temporarily or permanently, and more than 5,700 homes and businesses have been destroyed as the blazes continue to spread. Firefighters have made progress in containing some of the fires ― the 36,432-acre Tubbs Fire is 87 percent contained, for example ― but new ones have sprung up in recent days.

It’s not the first time Airbnb hosts have opened their doors for free. The company created a platform earlier this year to help refugees and others uprooted by natural disasters find temporary housing by connecting them with relief organizations.

Airbnb’s move has sparked a trend across the San Francisco Bay Area. Hotels have lowered prices for evacuees. Some museums announced free admission. Verizon (HuffPost’s parent company) offered discounts on phone minutes and data usage, NBC Bay Area reported.

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A natural-color satellite image of the burned Fountaingrove Golf Club in Santa Rosa, a city in Sonoma County.
A natural-color satellite image of the burned Fountaingrove Golf Club in Santa Rosa, a city in Sonoma County.
An infrared satellite image shows the burned-out Coffey Park neighborhood in Santa Rosa.
An infrared satellite image shows the burned-out Coffey Park neighborhood in Santa Rosa.
The red areas in this infrared satellite image represent living vegetation among burned-out homes in Santa Rosa.
The red areas in this infrared satellite image represent living vegetation among burned-out homes in Santa Rosa.
The fire line of the Santa Rosa wildfire can be seen in this infrared satellite image.
The fire line of the Santa Rosa wildfire can be seen in this infrared satellite image.
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa on Oct. 11, 2017.
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa on Oct. 11, 2017.
More than 200 fire engines and firefighting crews from around the country were being rushed to California on Wednesday.
More than 200 fire engines and firefighting crews from around the country were being rushed to California on Wednesday.
Aerial views of the Kmart store destroyed by fire along the 101 freeway in Santa Rosa.
Aerial views of the Kmart store destroyed by fire along the 101 freeway in Santa Rosa.
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood. 
Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood. 
Surrounding neighborhoods appear untouched by fire outside the Coffey Park neighborhood.
Surrounding neighborhoods appear untouched by fire outside the Coffey Park neighborhood.
An aerial view shows the Journey's End mobile home park in Santa Rosa.
An aerial view shows the Journey's End mobile home park in Santa Rosa.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.