BRASILIA (Xinhua) - A fire that broke out four days ago has destroyed more than 26,000 hectares of vegetation in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park in central Brazil, local authorities reported Tuesday.

The park, located in Alto Paraiso town about 250 km north of Brasilia, has been closed to the public since the fire started last Friday.

About 70 firefighters were battling the flames.

Chapada dos Veadeiros, an ancient plateau known for its rich wildlife, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.

Brazil's center-western region is heavily affected by drought that has hit South American countries. There has been no rains for 120 days, devouring large swathes of native vegetation and causing shortage of drinking water for rural residents.

Firefighters Tuesday put out another wildfire that wiped out some 10,000 hectares of vegetation. The fire broke out at a Brasilia National Park 10 km away from downtown Brasilia.

Weather forecasters said the drought would last for at least another week and that there would be no chance of rain until early October.