Bethenny Frankel Is Leading The Charge To Put Out Fires In The Amazon Rainforest 

Bethenny Frankel is taking charge against the Amazon rainforest fires.

On Saturday on Twitter, the former Real Housewives of New York star said she plans to charter a full-size supertanker to spray fire retardant on the flames — with the specific intention of helping “indigenous tribes & animals.”

Related: Bethenny Frankel Is Leaving ‘RHONY’!

She wrote:

“Gearing up to attack the Amazon crisis,specifically saving the lives of indigenous tribes & animals.Tomorrow I’ll get specific but,i’m chartering a full size supertanker (fire truck in a plane)to spray massive area. I’ll reach out w details for you to donate.Planning trip.#bstrong”

The next day, the Bravolebrity revealed plans to hand out cash cards to those in need. The 48-year-old’s disaster relief initiative, #BStrong, is partnering with nonprofit Global Empowerment Mission to aid in the crisis.

On Monday, the organizations started a CrowdRise page to raise $300,000 for their mission.

According to the fundraising site, Frankel’s team arrived in Santa Cruz, Bolivia on Monday “to assess the situation to determine the needs on the ground and the means with which aid could be brought in.”

Though the majority of the fires are in Brazil, the reality TV personality said on social media “the way in is Bolivia” as they “are already working with their government to navigate the plane, the details, and the logistics.”

On Monday, she also gave an update regarding the supertankers, divulging:

“The planes we are currently negotiating are called fire fighting air tankers. I’m going to get information for you soon so you can help donate. We are arriving soon to connect with our contacts in the Bolivian government to get organized… It’s expensive compared to PR plane sit’n. It’s tricky bc spraying isn’t enough.The process needs ground support & depends on weather.Getting intel from the ministry of defense to coordinate. We’ll be in shelters by Th w cash cards & relief… There is only one 747 functioning in the world but also many other models of ‘fire fighting planes.’ Working many angles. Xo #bstrong'”

As of Monday night, Frankel said she has not done anything yet, but is “gearing up & getting organized” with her team.

She also said she knows Amazon CEO Jeff Bezo‘s girlfriend, Lauren Sánchez, and will “be asking people for some dough” once she has her plan together.

This year, more than 80,000 fires have reportedly been detected by Brazil’s space research center, INPE. In August alone, there were more than 26,000 recorded forest fires — a record number. Neighboring countries — Bolivia, Peru, and Paraguay — have also lost large areas to flames.

INPE and other experts have attributed the incident to slash-and-burn approaches to clear land for logging and farming. Additionally, July and August are the region’s driest months.

Though Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro allegedly suggested non-governmental organizations started the fires — to spite the government for slashing their funding — he later denied making the accusation.

According to CNN on Tuesday, the special communications office for Bolsonaro said Brazil is going to turn down around $20 million in foreign aid which was pledged at the G7 summit in France the day before.

However, an hour later, Bolsonaro appeared to hint at a reversal, asking reporters outside his residence:

“Did I say that? Did I? Did Jair Bolsonaro speak?”

Bolsonaro would only respond to the offer once French President Emmanuel Macron — who reportedly accused Jair of “lying” to him about climate commitments during trade negotiations — took back his alleged insults.

Frankel’s charity has also provided assistance to locations such as the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and North Carolina.

[Image via Rob Rich/WENN.]