Hay loads are stacked on truck trailers parked Friday on the side of U.S. 183, north of Taloga. The hay was brought in to help ranchers affected by the Rhea wildfire, officials said. [Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry]

Agricultural officials on Monday estimated the Rhea and 34 Complex wildfires burning in Dewey and Woodward counties have killed about 1,100 head of cattle so far.

Jim Reese, Oklahoma's secretary of agriculture, said Monday that's fewer cattle than Oklahoma ranchers lost in a series of wildfires in six western and Panhandle counties just more than a year ago, although he added he expects more ranchers are being hurt by this year's fires.

As for the estimated cattle losses so far this year, Reese said it could be worse.

He said there was a greater availability of cultivated wheat pastures in areas near this year's fires that ranchers could use as temporary sanctuaries for their animals, compared to a year ago.