Australia heatwave live updates: Victoria declares state of disaster in multiple areas as bushfires rage; temperatures to reach 43C in Sydney

Total fire ban in place for whole of Victoria fires burn while Sydney prepares for the brunt of the heatwave

Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has declared a state of disaster in 18 local government areas as the state battles an escalating bushfire crisis that has destroyed at least 10 homes, prompted evacuations and razed more than 50,000 hectares of bushland, Australian Associated Press reports.

She said the declaration overnight was in response to danger to life or property in the affected areas and “sends a clear message to those who have been advised to leave: if you can, you must”.

Tonight, I declared a State of Disaster, which gives our authorities additional powers to confront an emergency of extraordinary scale and danger. It’s all about one thing: protecting Victorian lives. And it sends one clear message: if you have been told to leave - go.