The section of the trail and tracks affected is bound by Sulphur Bay and Te Ngae Rd, and stretches from Sudima Hotel at one end and to the Whakarewarewa rugby grounds at Puarenga Park.
Rotorua Lakes Council Sport and Recreation manager Rob Pitkethley said people were being asked to stay well away from the area and to comply with closure signs and barriers until further notice.
"This is a public safety precaution because there's the potential for ground instability and also risks from acrid fumes where some of the sulphur deposits have ignited."We don't want people turning up just to have a look at what's going on, putting themselves at risk and making the work of our emergency services more difficult," he said. "We'd really appreciate everyone's cooperation and would ask that they stay well clear of the area."
Mr Pitkethley said the New Zealand Fire Service and Rural Fire Authority were working together to deal with the problems, and to monitor and dampen down any further fire outbreaks.
- Rotorua Daily Post