As fires rage around Humboldt and Trinity Counties, evacuees have headed west in search of refuge and fresh air.

Joyce Plath, owner of the Redwood Lily Guest House in Arcata, said she received roughly 50 phone calls over the weekend from people seeking shelter. But due to a lack of vacancy, she had to turn them away.

“Beginning yesterday we started getting so many phone calls from people who could not find a hotel room from Trinidad through Eureka, we realized there was a problem,” Plath said. “There’s a large number of people coming in from the mountains that don’t have a place to stay. We can’t accommodate many more here, but what we can do, is be a clearing house.”

In lieu of the crisis, Plath was inspired to help, and is offering to be a mediator between shelter seekers and those willing to house those in need.

“If other people have a spare bedroom, spare couch, place to put a couple of tents and are willing to host people for a couple of days: free or for payment, they can call or email us and leave their information to pass on to people who are calling us.”

Those who would like to offer shelter to those in need, can contact the Lily Guest House at (707) 822-1860.