Bruce is the Co-Founder of South Place Properties and is an Agent specializing in the sale and acquisition of land, farms, rural homes, and commercial properties. He is a graduate of Samson High School and Auburn University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business & Economics. He was raised on his family’s quail preserve where he developed a love for the outdoors and land stewardship through hunting, fishing, and wildlife management. Bruce lives in Enterprise, Alabama with his wife Megan and son Archer. He is a member of Highpointe Church and volunteers with Turkeys for Tomorrow, Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, YoungEnterprise Area Professionals, and Wiregrass United Way.

Before finding his calling as a business owner, Bruce worked in finance and investments for a Fortune 500 company, Farm Credit, and a community bank. Through his experience financing over 300 real estate transactions, Bruce realized there was a need in his community for a locally owned and operated real estate brokerage that provides elite marketing and puts clients’ interests first through superior service. These are the pillars on which South Place Properties was built. Bruce’s unique background ensures clients they will have the information and knowledge to guide them through the buying or selling process, as well as tools to make the most out of their dream of owning real estate.

It was March 2020. My wife and I had our flights booked for O’ahu, Hawaii’s third largest island, for our anniversary vacation. We had a free place to stay, so all we had to pay for were plane tickets and food. It was a pretty good deal. Needless to say, a little pandemic thwarted our plans. As I watch today’s news and see the wildfires destroying the beautiful landscape of the neighboring island of Maui, I can't help but wonder if the fires could have been prevented through proper land management and preparedness. I have been helping my Dad with fire management on my family’s land for years, and we know how important this management is because we have been in situations where we needed it. In this blog I will outline benefits, tips, and resources to prevent damaging wildfires, and how to use management techniques as a landowner. Full disclosure, I am not a certified burn manager, but I have a lot of hands-on experience in this area. Some of the information I’ll be sharing is purely anecdotal, however most of it is backed by research.

 

Why Fire Management

 

To be clear, the type of fire that landowners want to prevent is a wildfire. There is such a thing as beneficial and purposeful fires, but we will get to that later. Many landowners spend countless hours and hard earned money to improve their properties, so they want these investments of time and capital to be protected. For example, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) says the average cost to site prep and plant loblolly pines is between $172.44 and $299.68 per acre depending on the circumstances. https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/costs-trends-of-southern-forestry-practices-2020/

So, to prepare and plant 100 acres of pine trees you are looking at an initial investment of at least $17,000. These trees are most susceptible to fire in the first few years of growth and they usually do not have the protection of insurance, which means your investment can be completely wiped out. This is just one of the many valuable aspects of fire management.

 

What Can You Do To Prevent Wildfires

 

You probably read that heading in Smokey the Bear’s voice, at least I did when I wrote it. Anyway, there are some relatively simple things you can do on your property to help reduce the chance of an uncontrollable wildfire. Corteva Agriscience mentions three effective ways to help prevent these fires: thinning, fuel breaks, and prescribed burning. 

https://www.corteva.us/products-and-solutions/land-management/wildfire-prevention-and-restoration.html

I would argue that all three are needed and should be utilized by landowners. So what are these practices and how do you get started on your land?

 

Thinning

 

When most landowners see the word “thinning”, they think of thinning pine trees in years 12-15 of growth to create room for the remaining trees to grow. While that is one aspect, for our purposes thinning means to reduce the number of less desirable trees and brush in order to control the height of the fire and prevent total loss. Believe me, once the fire gets to a certain height and gets into the crown of the trees it is significantly more difficult to control and sometimes impossible. I may or may not know from experience. You can DIY some of this by using a chainsaw, rotary cutter (bushhog), or forestry mulcher to take out smaller non-merchantable trees and shrubs if you have those resources available. If the time is right or you see the need, contact a local professional forester to set up a thinning of your timber. There are plenty of nuances when it comes to timber harvest, so make sure you hire a professional. We have a list of foresters and land management professionals we work with that are experienced, do quality work, and look out for your best interests. 

 

Fuel & Fire Breaks

 

The USDA just invested $63 million in fuel breaks for a reason. Fuel and fire breaks are some of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent and control a wildfire. A lot of people use fuel breaks and fire breaks interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two. Fire breaks are much narrower (3-15 feet wide) than fuel breaks (180-300 feet wide). When you think of fire breaks, think of a dirt trail. It should be about two to three times as wide as the height of the nearest fuel, such as grass or bushes. When I create fire breaks, I simply use a disc harrow to plow up a boundary around the area I want to contain. If you have a 6-7 foot disc, one pass is enough for 3-3.5 feet tall fuel. If your fuel is taller you may want to make a second pass. Ideally, you want to eliminate any fuel completely and leave only dirt. Fuel breaks, in contrast, are a little more involved. The idea is to create a barrier by reducing fuel in a wider section. This helps slow down a hot fire that could jump a fire break, giving the landowner more time to control the fire. These methods are ideally used together, but your land and budget may not be conducive to both. One is definitely better than none.

Prescribed Burning

 

Sometimes you have to fight fire…with fire. I would argue that prescribed burning is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent wildfires, as long as you know what you are doing. Please read this next sentence carefully. IF YOU HAVE NEVER DONE A CONTROLLED BURN PLEASE CONTACT A LOCAL FORESTER OR THE STATE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT TO DO IT FOR YOU AND GET TRAINED ON HOW TO BURN SAFELY. The Alabama Forestry Commission can perform an understory burn on your land for $20 per acre, with a minimum of $500. But why would you set fire to your land on purpose? Because it’s hard to burn things that have already been burned. Prescribed burning is the most efficient and cost effective method to reduce the fuel on the ground that can make hot fires even hotter and contribute to a wildfire. Weather conditions must be suitable to perform these burns to ensure they stay manageable. ACES has a great article that outlines ideal weather for burning, depending on your goals. 

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/fire/prescribed-fire-weather/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20it%20is%20best,less%20likely%20to%20burn%20well.

The wind, humidity, and temperature are all key factors in the success or disaster of a burn. Fire breaks are also a necessity when planning a burn. You should completely encapsulate your burn site in fire breaks to reduce the risk of a fire getting onto neighboring property. Proper manpower and equipment play a large role in reducing risk and increasing efficiency. Oklahoma State University outlines in detail the equipment needed for a successful burn.

https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/prescribed-burn-equipment.html

Before trying your first burn, I would highly recommend attending a local burn demonstration put on by the state forestry commission or extension service. These demonstrations are put on by professionals with experience burning thousands of acres of land. They will teach you how to plan, prepare, and execute a successful burn. Always reach out to those agencies if you have questions or need help, and call us for a local contact in your area. 

Justin Roberts is a highly accomplished real estate broker and the proud owner of South Place Properties. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Justin brings a wealth of diverse experiences to the table, having successfully managed a wedding videography business and a social media enterprise prior to venturing into the world of real estate.

One of Justin's notable areas of expertise lies in marketing. He possesses an exceptional knack for growing online platforms and optimizing visibility for sellers, ensuring their properties receive maximum exposure to potential buyers. With his keen understanding of marketing strategies, Justin has consistently delivered outstanding results, helping clients achieve their real estate goals.

However, Justin's interests and talents extend far beyond the realm of business. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting and fishing. Justin's passion for the great outdoors has taken him on countless adventures throughout the country, where he has worked as a freelance videographer, capturing hunting moments and creating compelling films.

Justin and his wife have chosen to make their home in the small community of New Brockton, AL. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the area, they embrace a slower-paced lifestyle, appreciating the simple joys that come from living in this tight knit farming community. Their household is completed by the presence of three beloved dogs, who share in their owners' passion for outdoor exploration.

As a real estate broker, entrepreneur, marketing specialist, and outdoors enthusiast, Justin Roberts embodies a unique blend of skills, experiences, and interests. His commitment to providing exceptional service to clients, paired with his deep appreciation for the natural world, makes him a trusted and sought-after professional in the real estate industry. Whether assisting buyers in finding their dream properties or helping sellers showcase the full potential of their land, Justin's expertise and passion make him an invaluable asset to anyone navigating the world of real estate in New Brockton and beyond.