Firebreak involved pulling all Blackwatch forces from the infected area to a safe distance, after which the area is destroyed by a tactical nuclear weapon. Until the year 2008, Firebreak had been used twice: the first time was in Hope, Idaho, and the second was in Two Bluff. General Randall was willing to use Firebreak in New York City but he was stopped and consumed by Alex Mercer. After defeating the Supreme Hunter, Alex took the nuclear bomb into the Atlantic Ocean, 200 miles away from Manhattan, where it detonated underwater. Alex was caught in the blast but a part of him survived. He was able to restore himself by consuming the biomass of a crow.