(a) Upon the petition of majority in value of the owners of real property in any designated area, no part of which is more than three (3) miles, except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, from a lot or plot of ground not exceeding a square acre in area on which the fire station is located or is to be located, the location of which lot or plot of ground must be definitely fixed in the petition, and which area defined in the petition contains not less than one hundred (100) residences, exclusive of garages and other buildings, it shall be the duty of the county court to lay off into an improvement district the territory described in the petition and to name five (5) commissioners of the district who are resident property holders in the district.

(b) Portions of incorporated towns may be included in the districts, provided the town has no equipped fire fighting station.

(c) If any part of the district, as defined in the petition therefor or the court order establishing the district, shall be found to be more than three (3) miles from the designated location of the fire station, it shall not affect the validity of the district, but the portion of the district in excess of three (3) miles from the designated location of the fire station shall be excluded.

(d) However, any tract of land not exceeding three hundred thirty square feet (330 sq. ft.) which equals one-sixteenth (1/16) of a section in length and breadth, any part of which shall be within three (3) miles of the fire station of the district, may be included in the district.

(e) A fire protection district having a radius of five (5) miles may be created in any county having a population of not less than fifteen thousand three hundred (15,300) and not more than fifteen thousand five hundred (15,500) according to the 1970 Federal Decennial Census in the same manner and for the same purposes as provided in this subchapter for a fire protection district having a three-mile radius.

(f) The petition shall state the purpose or purposes for which the district is to be formed, and the judgment establishing the district shall give it a name which shall be descriptive of the purpose. The district shall also receive a number to prevent its being confused with other districts for similar purposes.