Total fire bans are also in place for NSW as a number of Queensland towns remain on alert to evacuate.
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A megafire burning near the Blue Mountains region of NSW is showing no sign of stopping with emergency services admitting it'll be impossible to kill the blaze before a heatwave hits tomorrow.
Firefighters have been working around the clock to contain bushfires before the worst of the heat hits.
Late yesterday, some 109 fires were burning across the state with 64 of those uncontained.
More than 2300 firefighters are in the field, desperately trying to contain the fires before the expected worst of the heatwave spreading across the nation hits tomorrow.
“Reality is we are doing our best to get as far ahead as we can but they’re not going to be contained before the bad weather hits,” an RFS spokeswoman said.
Daytime temperatures in parts of NSW and the ACT are expected to exceed 40C from Tuesday through to Saturday while in the western half of the state the mercury is set to top 45C.
“With the heat comes fires so we’re expecting some particularly tricky days for the fire response on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” BOM acting NSW manager Jane Golding told reporters.
The residents of three Queensland regional towns are still on alert as bushfires continue to threaten properties.
The Queensland Rural Fire Service has issued “watch and act” warnings for the towns of Lowmead, Promisedland and Pine Creek – all in the Wide Bay region north of Brisbane.
Late last night, the communities were told get ready to leave if conditions worsen.
In Promisedland and Pine Creek, a fire is burning around Phillips Road, Crosswells Road and Erskine Road.
The fire in Lowmead, which is part of the bigger Mount Maria blaze, is travelling in a south-westerly direction towards Lowmead Road.
Firefighters were working overnight to try to contain both fires.
Residents of the three towns have told to travel to an evacuation centre at Miriam Vale’s community hall, or towards Bundaberg, if they have to leave on Wednesday.
Much of Queensland will suffer heatwave conditions for the rest of this week.
Meanwhile, a man was airlifted from north of Bundaberg on Tuesday afternoon after suffering suspected smoke inhalation.
It is believed the man was fighting fires when he was injured.
He was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.
A four day statewide total fire ban is in place as NSW suffers through a heatwave and fires burn across the state.
Victoria is in for a record-breaking heatwave, with the mercury set to soar to 47 degrees in some parts of the state.
Melbourne is expecting a top of 39C on Wednesday, while in the state’s northwest, Bendigo is forecast for 42C and Echuca, Swan Hill and Mildura will reach between 43C and 45Ct.
A total fire ban has been declared for the Wimmera region and a heat health alert has been issued for northern Victoria.
State Duty Officer Greg Christison said temperatures will reach the low-to- mid-40s in the Wimmera and winds will increase.
“Tomorrow’s conditions could make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start, therefore we are asking people to take heed of the Total Fire Ban conditions,” he said in a statement.
“People need to be aware of the increased fire danger and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
A cool change will sweep through the state during the afternoon before temperatures soar again on Friday.
The state could record its hottest December day on Friday if centres in the northwest such as Mildura and Swan Hill reach a forecast 47C.
Mildura is forecast to swelter through three days in a row of 45C and above.
“That’s only happened once before in 1939 so it is certainly a very significant heatwave, particularly for December,” Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Dr Blair Trewin said.
The heatwave has already passed through Perth, which sweltered through three consecutive days above 40C at the weekend, while Adelaide is now racing its own four-day run of hot weather.
As Victoria cools down on Saturday, the heat will go up in the ACT and NSW.
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