Bushfires are burning across much of Queensland as the state swelters through its hottest day of the year. 

Temperatures hit 40C in parts of the state as residents north of Tara, about 300 kilometres west of Brisbane, have been urged to evacuate immediately as a large, fast-moving fire travels in multiple directions. 

Queensland police also made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) due to the fire.

The area affected includes Chinchilla Tara Road, Terese Road, Weitzels Road and South Road.

Initial investigations indicate the fire started in a fuel drum near a house on Charles Street, police said. 

It is one of several bushfires burning across the state.

Residents in Myall Park, near Miles, and in Wolvi, near Gympie, were also being told to prepare to leave, as a fast-moving fire ripped through bushland.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecast hot to very hot conditions combined with fresh west to southwesterly winds will lead to elevated fire dangers over southeast Queensland on Sunday night.

By Melissa Meehan in Brisbane