- Airbnb, Lyft and Uber are helping those displaced by the devastating wildfires in Southern California, which have already destroyed almost 2,000 buildings and forced 130,000 people to evacuate.
As several wildfires continue burning across Southern California, a number of brands are pitching in to help the residents affected.
Rideshare companies Uber and Lyft are providing evacuated residents with free rides to temporary shelters.
Uber said it will offer free rides of up to $40, while Lyft said it will offer two rides up to $25 each ($50 total) for 500 riders.
To redeem the free ride, evacuees must use the promo code "WILDFIRE25" in their Uber app and "CAFIRERELIEF25" for Lyft. The free rides will be available until Jan. 15, 2025.
Driver’s earnings will not be affected by the free rides, according to Uber. Rides must be requested to or from designated locations, including:
- Pasadena Civic Auditorium — 300 E. Green St, Pasadena
- Westwood Recreation Center — 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles
- El Camino Real Charter High School — 5440 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills
- Ritchie Valens Recreation Center — 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima
"We're teaming up with local authorities and first responders to make sure everyone who needs help evacuating gets a ride," Camiel Irving, Uber’s vice president of operations, said in a statement. "As we move forward, we're staying closely connected with state officials and emergency teams and stand ready to do everything we can to support those impacted by the fires."
Lyft's social impact manager Celia Moreno added: "Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the wildfires in California. At Lyft, safety is our top priority. We're closely monitoring the evolving conditions and staying in touch with our drivers, riders, and local officials. Lyft is committed to providing access to reliable transportation, especially in emergencies to support communities in need."
Airbnb offering temporary housing
Airbnb.org, a nonprofit founded by Airbnb that provides free emergency housing, also announced on Wednesday that it is working with 211 LA to offer free, temporary housing to evacuees.
The company said it is currently working with local organizations to identify those in the "greatest" need of temporary housing, including those who have lost their home or been forced to evacuate in the Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Monica, and Sylmar areas.
Airbnb encourages those in need of assistance for temporary housing to fill out this form or contact 211 LA.
According to the company, stays are completely free for guests and are being funded by Airbnb and its hosts—many of whom are offering their home for free or at a discount.
"Airbnb.org has provided more than 1.6 million nights of emergency stays for more than 250,000 people," the company wrote on its website. This includes temporary housing to people displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the earthquake in Japan’s Noto Peninsula.
