Airbnb opens program to coordinate emergency shelter for those displaced by Wine Country fires

Alameda County Sheriff deputies carry in oxygen tanks to one of the wards at the Sonoma Developmental Center to help evacuate clients under a mandatory evacuation order for the whole facility as fire threatens the town of Glen Ellen, Calif., on Oct 9, 2017. Multiple fires that erupted in Napa, Sonoma, Calistoga and the Santa Rosa area have burned homes and wineries. less Alameda County Sheriff deputies carry in oxygen tanks to one of the wards at the Sonoma Developmental Center to help evacuate clients under a mandatory evacuation order for the whole facility as fire threatens ... more Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 125 Caption Close Airbnb opens program to coordinate emergency shelter for those displaced by Wine Country fires 1 / 125 Back to Gallery

UPDATE (Wednesday, October 11, 1:00 p.m.): Airbnb has expanded the Open Homes program to allow residents in Berkeley and Oakland to now sign up to host evacuees.

Airbnb launched its Open Homes program Monday afternoon to help facilitate housing for those fleeing the fire-ravaged Napa, Sonoma, and Santa Rosa areas. The company is also seeking those in nearby areas willing to offer space in their homes for displaced evacuees.

"Through our program, people in need of temporary accommodations — including survivors displaced, emergency relief workers and volunteers — are able to connect with Airbnb hosts in San Francisco and parts of Marin and Alameda Counties who are opening their homes free of charge from now through October 30," says Kellie Bentz, Airbnb's head of global disaster response and relief in a press release. "We encourage hosts in safe areas to aid in this effort by listing their available rooms or homes on the platform to help the growing number of people evacuating. Our thoughts continue to be with everyone impacted by these fires, and we thank the dedicated government and emergency response agencies who are working to keep our communities safe."

The tech company, based in San Francisco, has operated Open Homes since Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and recently launched it in the wake of Hurricanes Irma, Maria, and Harvey, and following the earthquake in Mexico and the shooting in Las Vegas.

RELATED: Inferno destroys parts of Santa Rosa — blocks of homes gone

Earlier on Monday, a spokesperson for Airbnb told SFGATE that it had sent "preparedness messaging" to registered hosts and guests in the impacted areas and gotten in contact with local agencies about potentially deploying the program. "At this time we are in touch with our non-profit and government partners on the ground in the Napa/Sonoma areas to offer support and are closely monitoring the situation," the company wrote in an email.

RELATED: Fire whips through tiny Sonoma County communities of Kenwood and Glen Ellen

With the launch, beginning Monday and running through Oct. 30, volunteer hosts — registered and not — living in demarcated areas in and near San Francisco County, Marin County, Alameda County, North Contra Costa County, and Mendocino County can offer space in their homes for displaced locals and relief workers helping out with the fire.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.

