MADRID, July 20 (UPI) -- Spain's prime minister said there would be harsh penalties for those who start forest fires such as the one that destroyed a Spanish nature reserve.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Wednesday also offered his condolences to the families of the 11 firefighters killed in the blaze, El Mundo reported online.
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On Tuesday a man admitted he was responsible for the forest fire that destroyed thousands of acres of trees.
Mercelino Herche faces up to 20 years in prison for starting a cooking fire in a natural reserve where it is illegal to do so.
Spain is in its worst bout of drought in 60 years. The lack of moisture may have led to another smaller forest fire in Spain's Zamora province.
