The Eagle Creek fire grew to about 48,000 acres by Sunday morning, but that could mark the last big advancement -- because of heavy rain forecasted for the next several days.

Although the rain poses a danger of creating flash floods and landslides, it also could be a tremendous help to firefighting efforts by extinguishing parts of the blaze. But officials don't expect the fire to completely fizzle, given its large size and the many pockets of forest that haven't been burned within the fire's perimeter.

"This is a 48,000 acre fire: Rain will certainly calm it down, but it won't put it out," said fire information officer Olga Troxel.

Forecasters predict more than three inches of rain in the next several days. About 1/2 an inch of rain is expected in the Eagle Creek area on Sunday. Another 2/3 of an inch is expected to fall Monday, followed by 1.7 inches Tuesday and 1/2 an inch Wednesday.

About 1,000 firefighters have consistently worked the fire since it grew rapidly Sept. 4 to Sept. 5. Sunday, fire officials said they were planning to start sending home hundreds of firefighters.

By week's end, if the weather predictions hold, Troxel said the number of people assigned to the fire could stand at a few hundred. Personnel still be needed to move out equipment, clean up and repair the land, Troxel said.

The Eagle Creek fire began Sept. 2, after authorities say a teenager was playing with fireworks along the Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge.

As of early Sunday, the fire was 32 percent contained.

The rains could mark the end to fire season, which means the end to any new, large fires, officials said.

The Eagle Creek fire was active Saturday in its northeastern corner. Despite winds blowing toward the fire from the east, the fire "continued to march right along," said fire operations chief Rick Miller.

Fire crews stayed in that area overnight into Sunday morning to monitor it for unanticipated growth.

On Saturday, some of the dozen helicopters working the fire continued to dump water in the area closest to the Bull Run Watershed. Fire officials say that's been effective in preventing the fire from spreading farther into the watershed.

The fire has come close to Indian Mountain, but fire officials don't expect it to crest over the mountain. The fire also has not burned Mount Defiance, and officials think it will be extinguished before it gets that far.

Firefighters are continuing to monitor the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge, to ensure its safety.

Interstate 84 westbound reopened on Thursday, and remains open. I-84 eastbound -- from Troutdale to Hood River -- remains closed, and officials have announced no date yet for its anticipated opening.

-- Aimee Green