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Strong, erratic winds could fan the flames of a massive blaze in Northern California that is already threatening thousands of homes, according to the Associated Press. Firefighters are concerned that the sudden shift in weather could cause the blaze to grow rapidly, as it did last week when similarly strong winds caused the fire to double.  

"A strong low-pressure system off the Pacific Northwest coast will kick up the winds over the King Fire Tuesday and Wednesday, with speeds of 8 to 18 mph and higher gusts. Unfortunately, the air will be even less humid Tuesday than it was Monday, and rain chances don't arrive until Thursday."

The inferno's containment jumped from 10 percent to 18 percent, according to Capt. Tom Piranio, a state fire spokesman. But the fire has burned some 87,000 acres – an area roughly the size of Atlanta – and has forced the evacuation of about 2,000 people.

Assessment teams were going back to survey more damage, but it's believed that about three dozen structures have been destroyed by the inferno. 

(MORE: How to Stay Safe if a Wildfire Threatens)

As the 5,000 firefighters began to turn the tables on the wildfire over the weekend, they were aided by wet, humid weather in an area fighting severe drought."The heavy drizzle helped the firefighters immensely. We got what we were looking for to gain containment of the fire," said Piranio.

But earlier in the day, poor air quality forced a last-minute cancelation of two popular Ironman events in nearby Lake Tahoe, disappointing about 3,000 athletes who had signed up for the competition, Ironman operations manager Keats McGonigal said.

"County air quality officials have recommended that the event be canceled," said a statement announced to participants.

"I had tears too, and then my husband came, and comforted me," Sabine Bokslopper told KTVU, as she unpacked her gear bags in Oakland Sunday evening.

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Bokslopper was one of eight members of the Tri-Valley Triathlon Club, trained and ready for the 140 mile endurance race: swimming, cycling, and running. "I was hoping to finish in 16 hours," she added.

The wildfire about 60 miles east of Sacramento started Sept. 13, threatening more than 21,000 structures. According to preliminary figures released Sunday, the fire destroyed 10 homes and 22 outbuildings in the White Meadows area of Pollock Pines.

About 100 evacuees have been allowed to return home, but some 2,700 remain under evacuation orders, state fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said. The fire also continues to threaten a key University of California, Berkeley research station that is home to scores of experiments on trees, plants and other wildlife.

A man charged with starting the fire, Wayne Allen Huntsman, 37, pleaded not guilty to arson Friday and remains in the El Dorado County jail on $10 million bail.