In today's newsletter: Forecasters expect another round of strong winds to hit Los Angeles as firefighters race to contain the devastating blazes. The Senate is slated to hold confirmation hearings for Trump's Cabinet picks this week. And takeaways from the first weekend of the NFL playoffs.

At least 24 people have been killed in the greater Los Angeles area as firefighters rush to contain blazes ahead of a new week of strong winds.

Fire conditions in Southern California entered a critical period as the Santa Ana winds that helped fuel the fires last week are expected to return over the next three days across parts of L.A. and Ventura counties. The wind-fed wildfires have swept through 40,000 acres, destroying communities and more than 12,300 structures.

The number of deaths being investigated relating to the Eaton Fire in Altadena has risen to 16 officials said. The Eaton Fire could end up being the fifth deadliest in California history, according to Cal Fire. It's 27% contained after having spread across 14,117 acres. Evacuation orders have been expanded for the largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, which is 13% contained and threatens Brentwood, Encino and Westwood.

Los Angeles County declared a public health emergency, warning that smoke and particulate matter could pose immediate and long-term threats. Evacuation orders are in effect for 105,000 L.A. residents, and 87,000 are in evacuation warning zones, which means they may need to leave at a moment’s notice.

Follow our liveblog for the latest coverage of the wildfires.

More on the L.A. fires:

Senate braces for 'train wreck' as hearings start for Trump’s Cabinet picks

The Republican-led Senate is expected to hold more than a dozen hearings this week for President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks, with the hope of confirming them quickly after he’s inaugurated on Jan. 20.

“We’re going to have a little bit of a train wreck next week of confirmation hearings,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters last week. “But I’m glad we’re getting those done, and the FBI background check would naturally be a part of that process.” Some confirmations are expected to be relatively simple, like for Sen. Marco Rubio's selection as secretary of state. Others will face headwinds, like former Fox News host and military veteran Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, who has been battling allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking and mismanaging the finances of a nonprofit veterans group.

The hearings kick off Tuesday with Hegseth; former Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., Trump’s pick for veterans affairs secretary; and former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum for secretary of the interior.

Read the full story here.

Highlights from NFL playoffs

The late-game heroics that have defined Washington’s season continued in the NFL playoffs. The fifth and final lead change Sunday night in Tampa came as time expired, when Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez bounced a 37-yard kick off the right upright but somehow still through to break a deadlock and finish off a 23-20 win for Washington. It was the Commanders’ first playoff win since the 2005 season. NBC News sports reporter Andrew Greif breaks down the rest of the highlights from the NFL playoffs— and what else is ahead:

Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson lived up to his Most Valuable Player potential Saturday in a 28-14 wild-card win against, yes, Pittsburgh. Derrick Henry ran for 186 yards and the Ravens had 299 in total, the most allowed in Steelers playoff history, but it was Jackson who was described by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin as the most difficult problem to solve all game. Pittsburgh goes into an uncertain offseason after finishing on a five-game losing streak. Up next: Baltimore visits Buffalo in the divisional round.

In Houston, the Texans beat the Chargers, 32-12, thanks to a remarkable defensive performance headlined by intercepting quarterback Justin Herbert four times. That was the same Herbert who had thrown only three interceptions all season. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is now only the sixth NFL quarterback all-time to win a playoff game in each of his first two seasons. Up next: The Texans play at Kansas City, where quarterback Patrick Mahomes is 6-0 all-time in the divisional round.

Is this finally Buffalo’s year in the AFC? Second-fiddle to Kansas City for years, the Bills — who beat both No. 1 seeds in each conference during the regular season — started their postseason off with a 31-7 win against Denver. Including the regular season, Buffalo is 9-0 at home, and the latest win wasn’t solely the product of yet another unprecedented box score by quarterback Josh Allen. Allen threw for 272 yards, but the Bills also ran for 210 yards to advance to the divisional round for a fifth consecutive season.

Green Bay’s trouble against Philadelphia began on its very first play. Fumbling the opening kickoff was ultimately a harbinger for the rest of the game, which Philadelphia won, 22-10. Philadelphia looked vulnerable at times, but can anyone slow down Saquon Barkley? Only the ninth player in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards in the regular season added 119 more yards on the ground.

Still to come: Minnesota at the Rams, in a Monday night game moved to Phoenix because of the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

Capitol riot: Vice President-elect JD Vance says that violent Jan. 6 rioters shouldn't receive pardons.

Meet the Press: GOP Sen. James Lankford says that the U.S. won't invade Greenland despite Trump's previous comments.

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The challenges schools and immigrant families face

As Trump's plan for mass deportations take shape and are publicly discussed, educators find themselves in an uncomfortable position. They want to keep their students safe, but they also don't want to wade into the politically charged issue. Several educators across six states told NBC News they find themselves in a predicament while fielding questions on the subject — leaving many unsure of the best way to support their students.

— Elizabeth Both, associate platforms editor

NBC Select spoke with multiple dentists to find the best toothpaste to improve your oral hygiene. We also tried a handful of brands and learned what to avoid. Plus, you can get Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive for nearly 50% off on Amazon.

Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Today's newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Both.

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