Satellites on Fire named Earthshot Prize finalist

Argentine startup Satellites on Fire has been named a finalist for the Earthshot Prize. The company utilizes artificial intelligence and thermal satellite imagery to detect forest fires, reportedly identifying them an average of 35 minutes faster than NASA.

The platform integrates satellite data with ground cameras, drones, weather patterns, and lightning records to not only detect the start of a fire but also analyze its potential spread. Once a fire is identified, the system sends real-time alerts to emergency responders via accessible methods such as WhatsApp, SMS, and email.

Founded in 2020 by Franco Rodríguez Viau, Joaquín Chamo, and Ulises López Pacholczak, the startup has monitored 92 million hectares across 21 countries and reached over 70,000 users. In 2025, the technology assisted in responding to more than 2,000 forest fires. The company recently expanded its reach through a partnership with Allianz Seguros Spain and aims to monitor 446 million hectares by 2030.