Tommy Ratto cleans up a hot spot after the destructive wildfire in Bastrop, Texas, Sept. 10, 2011. Officials in Texas say fire crews are making progress fighting a massive Texas wildfire but concerns about hotspots are keeping thousands of residents in the Bastrop area from returning home. (AP Photo/Eric Schlegel)

According to Incident Information System, wildfires in Texas have charred nearly three million acres of the parched state so far this year.

Currently, flames are covering more than 100,000 acres of Texas. More than 1,500 homes were lost due to the fires just over the past week alone.

President Barack Obama has signed a federal disaster declaration for Texas as the wildfires rage. Federal funding will now help recovery efforts in Bastrop County, Texas, which has been dealing with destructive flames.

Unfortunately, the weather does not look like it will help out with the fire situation any time soon. Tropical Storm Nate is moving westward, bringing its rainfall into Mexico. This will occur as a large dome of high pressure in control of northern Mexico shifts eastward.

Dry and hot weather will persist across the bone-dry Lone Star State. Sunny skies will help temperatures climb well into the 90s and even the 100s in some communities.

The phrase “drought breeds drought” comes to mind when looking at the devastating situation in Texas. Approximately 81 percent of the state is being gripped by exceptional drought conditions.

AccuWeather.com Facebook fan Dan W. compares the current deficit of rainfall to the Dust Bowl.

“Too bad we can’t send the rain to Texas!” said AccuWeather.com Facebook fan Penny O. late last week during the major flooding of the Northeast. Many others have since joined her in this wish.

Smoke is another concern with the wildfires. Austin, Texas, is among the cities and towns that has been dealing with smoke-filled skies over the past week due to fires burning nearby.

This sad video shows the destruction of homes left behind the Bastrop Fire in Texas. This video was posted by Youtube user SteveHMcIntosh