Thousands of people forced to flee fast-moving wildfires in France and Spain are getting an unexpected lifeline: free places to stay.

Airbnb.org has activated its emergency housing program to provide temporary accommodations for displaced families and even firefighters working on the front lines, offering a safe place to rest while communities begin the long road to recovery.

The stays are funded by Airbnb.org (the company’s nonprofit wing) and its donors, ensuring families don't have to worry about the cost of housing.

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Here’s how it works

The organization communicates closely with local governments and charity groups on the ground to identify people who need assistance and connect them with available Airbnb stays nearby.

In many cases, the process only takes a matter of minutes.

Once local officials verify that someone has been displaced, Airbnb.org sends them an email containing booking credits that allow them to reserve a property.

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The organization says the housing is designed to meet families' real-world needs, not just provide a roof overhead.

Keeping families together

As of July 31, Airbnb.org has provided nearly 200 nights of free housing to people displaced by the wildfires in France, with many more families expected to check in over the coming days.

Many of those reservations are for larger groups, helping families stay together during an already stressful time. Nearly one-third of the stays are hosting four or more guests, while almost one-quarter include pets, allowing evacuees to bring beloved animals with them instead of leaving them behind.

A place for firefighters, too

The program isn't just helping residents.

Through a long-term partnership with the Fédération nationale des sapeurs-pompiers de France, Airbnb.org is also providing free accommodations for firefighters deployed to battle the Gironde wildfires.

"We recognize that these first responders are working demanding, extended deployments away from home," said Christoph Gorder, executive director of Airbnb.org. “By providing free temporary housing, Airbnb.org aims to provide first responders with a way to stay closer to disaster sites, reducing travel burdens and making it easier for them to recharge before heading back out into the field.”

Helping people take the next step

The effort comes as wildfires have forced tens of thousands of evacuations across Europe. In Spain, the fires around Madrid and Ávila prompted the country's first-ever national wildfire emergency declaration.

This emergency housing is intended to give families breathing room while they figure out their next move, whether that's filing insurance claims, finding permanent housing or connecting with employment, healthcare and other support services.

For people looking to help, Gorder says there are two ways to make a difference: donate to Airbnb.org, where 100% of public donations go directly toward emergency housing, or, if you're an Airbnb host, offer discounted stays to support future disaster response efforts.