June of this year was the second-hottest June in Denver history, and it was the third-hottest June in the state of Colorado as a whole. And this major 5-day heat wave is going to keep July well above average and could put the state on pace for one of the hottest summers of all time. There is a concerning correlation between this warm trend and what's happened during similar years with this type of heat. If you look at the five hottest summers in Colorado history – first you notice that they are all fairly recent which makes sense because we know the climate is warming but a few of these years raise a red flag about developing drought. Two of the worst droughts in recorded history developed during or just after the hot summers of 2012 and 2020. The difference is that the 2012 drought was preceded by another dry period, while the drought in 2020 was preceded by a couple of wet weather years just like it was going into this summer. The connection between drought and wildfire is also concerning especially seeing how closely 2024 compares to 2020. Three of the largest wildfires in state history flared up late that summer and fall. That 2020 wildfire season however was driven by unusual high wind events which are not necessarily connected to hot summer temperatures. More local videos here: https://youtube.com/@9news Subscribe to NEXT: https://youtube.com/@Nexton9NEWS Stay connected: 9NEWS Website: https://www.9news.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilike9news Twitter: https://twitter.com/9NEWS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9newsdenver/ Download the 9NEWS App: https://www.9news.com/appredirect/ Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER: https://www.9news.com/email 9NEWS (KUSA) is located in Denver, Colorado.