A 25-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of arson, following a large gorse fire in the Mourne Mountains last night, has been released on police bail to allow for further inquiries to be conducted.
The large fire threatened homes, and at one point the operation to control it was declared a major incident.
The PSNI said the fire, which was ablaze in the Sandbank Road area of Hilltown, is being treated as having been ignited deliberately.
Road closures were in place overnight with local diversions in place but they were lifted today.
Police also assisted with the evacuation of nearby residents.
The PSNI said that a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson, being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, and non-related driving offences.
This afternoon, the PSNI said that the man was released on police bail to allow for further inquiries to be conducted.
District Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down Superintendent Norman Haslett said: "We would reiterate our earlier appeal not to travel to the Slievenaman Road area of Newcastle due to an ongoing gorse fire - our colleagues at the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service need space to operate.
"We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time, as enquiries continue. If anyone has any information about criminal action linked to the recent gorse fires, please call police on 101."
At its height, 100 firefighters and 15 appliances were tackling the blaze along a 3km front.
It involved a large area of gorse and forestry and was first reported at around 5pm yesterday between the villages of Hilltown and Rostrevor.
Hours later, as it continued to spread and approached several properties, it was declared a major incident.
A number of homes were evacuated as a precaution.
Difficult ground and high winds made it hard to contain and it was the middle of the night before it was brought fully under control.
"The cause of this fire is believed to have been deliberate," the fire service said in a statement.
Warnings had been in place about the fire risk due to the weather conditions and the police stepped up patrols in an attempt to counter the threat.
There has been a spate of such fires in the immediate area and across the wider region in recent weeks.
