TUNBRIDGE — The fire chief refused to comply with a new law designating him as forest fire warden, but the town government can fall back on its longtime warden, thanks to an exception in the rules. Act 162 mandated that fire chiefs serve automatically as a town’s forest fire warden, with permission to appoint a deputy warden. The Tunbridge Volunteer Fire Department is an independent nonprofit that provides services in Tunbridge, though it’s not technically a town department, Bradford said. While the law allowed the chief to appoint a deputy warden, Bradford noted that the primary role still comes with additional expectations and a time commitment. The warden participates in forest fire suppression, submits fire reports, keeps records and issues permits to kindle fire.