Free Airbnbs And Discounted Hotels: How The Travel Industry Is Helping LA Wildfire Victims

Dozens of hospitality and tourism businesses are offering their support to residents and travellers forced to flee from fire-impacted areas.

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The rampant wildfires consuming vast swathes of Los Angeles have forced around 180,000 people to evacuate. 

Many now don’t have homes to return to; the flames have ripped through entire neighbourhoods leaving properties as smouldering wrecks. 

Dozens of businesses have now come forward to offer accommodation, transport and support to those who have had to flee. 

Resources available include stays in Airbnb properties and Uber rides. 

LA vacation rentals offered as free accommodation

Holiday rental site Airbnb is offering free temporary housing for people displaced by the wildfires.

The organisation has partnered with 211 LA, a non-profit organisation connecting residents with essential services, to put people in touch with property owners.

The stays are funded by Airbnb.org, a nonprofit founded by Airbnb that provides free emergency housing in times of crisis, and Airbnb hosts.

They are specifically focused on residents who have either lost their home or been forced to evacuate in the Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Sylmar areas.  

More information can be found here.

Vrbo, an online marketplace for holiday rentals, is offering refunds to guests who have been forced to cancel reservations at properties in fire-affected areas. 

LA fires: Hotels offer discounts on rooms

Hotels across Los Angeles are offering discounted room rates for evacuees. 

Los Angeles Tourism has compiled a list of hotels that are offering discounts to those displaced here.

Hotels in Anaheim are also offering reduced room rates for those affected in the Southern California area.

Guests should keep their receipts and take photos of them to submit to their home or travel insurance company for reimbursement. 

LA fires: Hotels welcome pets and Uber offers free rides

People fleeing with pets are being welcomed at various properties outside the city including the Hilton Irvine Orange County Airport, Alisal Ranch and the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa.

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Ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft are offering free transport - up to $40 (€39) and two trips of up to $25 (€24) respectively - to shelters for those in fire-affected areas. 

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