South-eastern Australia has been heavily impacted by unprecedented bushfires, caused by record high temperatures and drought.

Fires have been ongoing since September, leading to the deaths of at least 25 people and the destruction of nearly 2,000 homes in the states of New South Wales and Victoria.

The Santos Tour Down Under is due to begin later this month, with men's and women's races in areas around Adelaide.

Organisers have confirmed the races are both still set to take place, but the situation is being monitored.

"Our thoughts are with those people and communities affected by the bushfires, and certainly with the CFS (South Australian Country Fire Service) and others who continue to work so hard to keep South Australian people and property protected," a Santos Tour Down Under statement read.

"We are in discussions with the Adelaide Hills Council, who are committed to seeing the Santos Tour Down Under running through the region.

"The Council and DPTI (Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure) are working hard to ensure the routes are safe, so both the men's and women's races can go ahead as planned.

"In talking with the Adelaide Hills Council, the most significant thing we as a race can do at this time is to promote that the Adelaide Hills are open for business, to promote the region and encourage people to travel into and support the region.

"We are working closely with Council, emergency services and the local communities and will continue to monitor the situation.

"As always, the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved with the Santos Tour Down Under is our priority."

The Tour Down Under is the traditional curtain raiser of the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour season, with the men's stage race scheduled from January 21 to 26.

A four stage women’s race will be held from January 16 to 20.

The one-day Cadel Evans Ocean Race on February 1 will open the UCI Women’s WorldTour season, along with being the second event of the men’s WorldTour.

The annual event is at Geelong in Victoria, with both races currently expected to take place as planned.

Fundraising events are expected at both the Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans Ocean Race, helping provide relief to those impacted by the bushfires.

Similar initiatives have been employed at the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Cup, where players and organisers pledged donations for aces during the tournament.

The competition has taken place ahead of the first grand slam of the season, the Australian Open.

Australian Open organisers have claimed they do not expect delays to the start of the event in Melbourne, due to begin with qualifying on January 14.

Fundraising plans have been announced, including the staging of an "AO Rally for Relief" event with leading players.