Total fire ban for ACT as temps soar

A total fire ban has been declared for the entire ACT ahead of another blistering day forecast for the territory.

ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Dominic Lane on Wednesday said the territory would be placed under a total fire ban on Thursday until midnight.

The heat is expected to continue to batter residents on Thursday with a high of 39 degrees forecast for the capital, after sweltering temperatures of 40 degrees on Wednesday.

Temperatures will remain in the high 30s in Canberra until Sunday when light showers are forecast to break the heat, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.