Will bushfires affect Australian Open tennis?

This month's Australian Open tennis Grand Slam will take place during a bushfire crisis that has left at least 26 people dead and destroyed more than 2,000 homes.

Blazes across the country have torched about eight million hectares (80,000 square kilometres) of land, sending air pollution soaring.

AFP Sport looks at the implications for the first major tennis tournament of the year, which starts on January 20:

- What are the dangers? -=========================

Air pollution is the big risk for the Australian Open. Smoky conditions could pose health problems for players, fans and officials, especially in the high temperatures of the Australian summer.

Melbourne hasn't been as badly affected by pollution as Sydney or Canberra, but thick haze last week prompted speculation that the Australian Open could be delayed.

However, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said the tournament should go ahead as expected.

"All the information we have at the moment, with qualifying coming up next week, is .