MEDICINE LODGE — Agricultural officials were attempting Wednesday to estimate losses, especially of livestock, from a wildfire that burned hundreds of square miles of sparsely populated land in Kansas and Oklahoma.

The fire, which started last week in Oklahoma before spreading to southern Kansas, largely has been contained, although dozens of firefighters were contending with strong winds as they roved the remnants of the blaze for hot spots. The National Weather Service was reporting 40 mph wind gusts and an influx of drier air.

Although no serious injuries were reported, 16 homes were destroyed in the two states.

Ranchers have started hunting down cattle that escaped as thousands of miles of fencing burned, and reports of cattle and even a dozen buffalo deaths are pouring in, said Gaten Wood, a prosecutor who has been assigned to provide fire updates for Kansas’ Barber County, where the fire was concentrated.

About 600 head of cattle died in Oklahoma, the state Forestry Service said. Kansas Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Heather Lansdowne said the state doesn’t yet have estimates on cattle deaths.

Lansdowne noted that damage to livestock, fencing, water systems and stockpiled hay would be in the millions of dollars. The fencing, which was largely barbed wire hung on wood posts, will cost $11,000 per mile to replace, she said.

The Kansas Livestock Association is collecting money to help with the repairs and for animal care efforts.

Many cattle are suffering from smoke inhalation, association spokesman Todd Domer said, and adverse health effects may not surface for a week or two.

Hay donations have flooded the area, he said.

“There is a lot of animal care to comfort and heal those animals affected by smoke or injured in the fire,” he said.