Airbnb announced that it is expanding its Open Homes Program ( https://www.airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees/carrfire ) to help those temporarily displaced by the River and Ranch wildfires, in addition to the Carr fire.

The program was first activated on July 27 and included the Shasta County region.

To accommodate increasing needs of those impacted by the Northern California fires, the program was extended through Aug. 17 and expanded to include parts of Butte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Modoc, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Siskiyou, Solano, Tehama and Yolo counties as well as into parts of southern Oregon.

The company wants to ensure those who are impacted and need temporary shelter are aware of the program and the expanded areas of activation, as well as spread the word to those who have the capability to be a host and open their homes.

Airbnb is encouraging hosts across Northern California and Southern Oregon to consider opening their homes and providing free temporary accommodations to those in need if they have the capacity to do so.

Under the Open Homes Program, Airbnb waives all booking fees and charges for those that sign up for the program.

In the event of major emergencies like this one, Airbnb's Open Homes Program connects local residents who have been displaced – as well as emergency relief workers and volunteers who are coming in to assist – find temporary accommodations with local Airbnb hosts who are opening their homes free of charge.

This concept began organically back in 2012 in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and has since grown into a global disaster response initiative that makes it easy for Airbnb hosts to provide space for people in need when disasters strike.