Landowners in certain areas of Dix Creek, Smoky Cove and Pigeon Gap Road will be moved into into the Center Pigeon fire district — a move that will result in a fire tax but also lower the home insurance bill for property owners.
Johnny Pless, Center Pigeon fire district chief, told the Haywood County Board of Commissioners his district already provides coverage to properties in this area anyway even though they are outside the district lines. Pless said the district responded to 36 calls for service in the territory in 2022.
Until recently, property owners got no break on their home insurance coverage if they lived more than 5 miles from a fire department. Now, Pless said, the rules have changed to 7 miles from a station. Those living in that additional two-mile zone now stand to benefit from lower insurance rates if they are added to the fire district.