UPDATED 1.35pm: Fire-ravaged Mt Maunganui will be completely closed until midday tomorrow.

LISTEN ABOVE: Firefighter Aaron Waterrous speaks to Tim Dower

The Tauranga City Council has shut all public access to the mountain while fire crews monitor the site today.

Helicopter crews with monsoon buckets are remaining on standby to dampen flare ups.

A council spokesperson said the mountain will be closed until at least noon on Friday to give enough time for experts to assess the risk of rock fall and to ensure all hotspots were dampened.

Adams Ave was now open but security would remain at the mountain to ensure public safety and manage emergency service access to the area overnight.

Jody McGinity, who is camping at Papamoa, said the fire could be seen from the campground last night, about 16km away from Mt Maunganui.

"We were just sitting having a drink and then we wondered what the light was," she said.

They then realised it was a blaze, and called the Fire Service.

Additional reporting by NZ Herald