An intense heatwave is bearing down on Queensland today as authorities warn residents to prepare for an increased fire danger.

The Bureau of Meteorology says a very hot air mass is moving across much of the state and will linger over a large area from tomorrow.

Extreme and severe heatwave warnings stretching form the state's north-west corner to the south-east corner have been issued by the bureau.

They come after the outback town of Birdsville in south-west Queensland recorded its hottest October day on Tuesday when the mercury spiked at a blistering 46 degrees.

9News Queensland weather forecaster Garry Youngberry says the extreme conditions will start to be felt in south-eastern parts today and continue into early next week.

"Temperatures are forecast to hit the high thirties today,

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