Women's match postponed as bushfires continue to affect sport in Australia

FILE PHOTO: Firefighters put out spot fires in Kiah, Australia January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Tracey Nearmy

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's rampaging bushfires continue to affect top-level sporting events with a women's soccer match scheduled for Newcastle on Friday postponed because of the poor air quality and expected soaring temperatures.

Hundreds of fires have scorched more than 10.3 million hectares (25.5 million acres) of land - an area the size of South Korea - killing 26 people and an estimated 500 million animals, and destroying over 1,000 homes.