Western governors meeting with federal officials in Vegas

Wildfires, sage grouse, cybersecurity and highway funding will be among the topics governors from four Western states take up with federal land and transportation officials at a Las Vegas Strip resort.

The governors of Wyoming, Montana, Nevada and Idaho are scheduled to attend the two-day Western Governors’ meeting beginning Friday at the Four Seasons resort.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell is expected to focus during a keynote speech on conservation goals, natural resource development and the budget-busting costs of fighting wildfires this year in the West.

She’s also expected to face questions about the effect that ranchers, businesses, developers and homeowners in 11 Western states are feeling from new federal protections for the greater sage grouse.

The association represents governors of 19 states and three U.S. Pacific islands.