Tents going up

About a half-acre of land across from the Barrett Junction Cafe near Dulzura was cleared of debris and flattened with a bulldozer.

Then the tents went up.

A "tent city," donated by the controversial private-military company Blackwater Worldwide, arrived 47 hours after leaving the company's North Carolina headquarters.

It will be ready to house up to 200 fire-displaced Dulzura-area residents as early as Sunday.

Nearly 10,000 pounds of boxes arrived today containing the tents and other supplies including TVs, a DVD player, a VCR, a microwave oven, sleeping bags, clothing, boots and a coffee maker.

Trailers with men's and women's showers and one with three washing machines and three dryers will be available to locals, even those who don't stay at the tent city.

Brian Bonfiglio, vice president of Blackwater West, said each tent will have air-conditioning, heating and lighting. Once set up, they will be inspected by county officials before residents can move in.

-Janine Zuniga, staff writer