POLICE probing the fire that caused widespread devastation to parts of Slieve Donard earlier this year have confirmed that they are no longer pursuing any active lines of enquiry in relation to the blaze.
The statement from the PSNI means that if no new information is forthcoming then its investigation is effectively over.
There have been no arrests or voluntary interviews relating to April's fire, which started at Bloody Bridge near Newcastle.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said at the time that it believed the blaze was started deliberately.
At its height, more than 100 firefighters and 12 appliances were involved in tackling the fire, which spread over several square miles of upland.
However, it has emerged that NIFRS's definition of 'deliberate' differs from that used by the PSNI.
The Irish News understands that NIFRS classes a fire as deliberate, regardless of whether it may or may not be malicious.
The PSNI, on the other hand, must believe there was malicious intent if a prosecution is to be pursued.
South Down MP Chris Hazzard said he was disappointed to learn that "yet another wildfire in the Mournes will seemingly go unpunished".
“This is very disappointing news, and will no doubt leave many people frustrated and angry following the shocking scenes of destruction in April," he said.
“All too often arson in the countryside goes unpunished as current legislation is woefully incapable of providing the necessary protection for local habitats."
The Sinn Féin MP called on Agriculture and Environment Minister Edwin Poots to "urgently review the existing legal protections and bring forward robust and fit for purpose legislation that can act as a real deterrent in future".
Earlier this week, the Stormont minister pledged £322,000 to help the area recover in the wake of the fire.
