Blackwater tried to open an training facility three miles north of Potrero , a small town in rural east San Diego County , California , located east of San Diego , for military and law enforcement training . The opening had faced heavy opposition from local residents , residents of nearby San Diego , local Congressmember Bob Filner , and environmentalist and anti-war organizations . Opposition focused on a potential for wildfire increases , the proposed facility 's proximity to the Cleveland National Forest , noise pollution , and opposition to the actions of Blackwater in Iraq . In response , Brian Bonfiglio , project manager for Blackwater West , said : " There will be no explosives training and no tracer ammunition . Lead bullets do n't start fires . " In October 2007 , when wildfires swept through the area , Blackwater made at least three deliveries of food , water , personal hygiene products and generator fuel to 300 residents near the proposed training site , many of whom had been trapped for days without supplies . They also set up a " tent city " for evacuees . On March 7 , 2008 , Blackwater withdrew its application to set up a facility in San Diego County
wildfires swept through the area
October 2007 California wildfires
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