Payam Javan: President Joe Biden has canceled his planned visit to Italy, including meetings with Pope Francis and Italian leaders, to address the escalating wildfires in California. The Los Angeles area has been particularly hard-hit, with at least five fatalities and thousands of structures destroyed. Biden recently visited the region, meeting emergency personnel and approving a Major Disaster declaration to unlock federal funding for relief efforts.

High winds and dry conditions continue to fuel the fires, complicating containment efforts. The decision to forgo his final overseas trip before leaving office highlights the severity of the crisis and Biden’s commitment to supporting affected communities