Indra and Minsait develop technology to anticipate fires: from AI to sensors

Indra Group and its digital transformation subsidiary, Minsait, are committed to coordinating advanced technologies to develop a predictive forest digitalization system to address the threat of wildfires, the company announced in a statement.

On the occasion of World Forest Fire Prevention Day , celebrated every August 18, Indra and Minsait have highlighted their commitment to technological innovation to anticipate risks and strengthen territorial protection.

Their proposal is based on the concept of 'blended technology' , an integration of advanced technologies that operate in a coordinated manner, including artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision, environmental sensors, satellite imagery, and real-time connectivity.

By combining these elements, it is possible to continuously monitor the environment and detect early risk indicators , such as thermal anomalies, smoke emissions, or sudden changes in environmental conditions, even before a fire starts.

An example of this is a system that deploys autonomous systems that combine sensors and artificial vision in hard-to-reach wooded areas and power lines.

These devices, installed on high- and medium-voltage poles and towers, detect smoke, hot spots, and environmental variables such as temperature and humidity. They are solar-powered and feature local processing to ensure their effectiveness even in areas with limited 24-hour connectivity.

This Minsait technology is easy to install and maintain , allows for early warnings to be generated, risk maps to be updated in real time, and a faster and more effective response to be coordinated with emergency services, reducing response times and limiting the extent of damage, the company stated.

Laura Moreno Sánchez, Global Head of Energy Distribution at Minsait (Indra Group), noted that "the fight against fires is no longer just being fought on the ground, but also in the digital world."

"Thanks to technologies such as artificial intelligence, environmental sensors, and satellite imagery, we can now anticipate fires before they start," he emphasized.

"Smart prevention turns data into decisions, and decisions into time saved, which is key in these scenarios. In a context of climate change, investing in innovation is not an option: it's a necessity to protect our territory and move toward safe and sustainable scenarios for all," Moreno Sánchez emphasized.

The same predictive approach is being used in sectors such as energy, logistics, urban mobility, and critical infrastructure management . Wherever a breakdown, technical failure, or extreme weather could trigger an emergency, intelligent systems are already monitoring in the background.

A technology-based tool developed by Indra is the FAEDO system, a solution for early detection of forest fires based on thermal cameras and 360-degree panoramic vision that allows for the automatic and continuous identification of hot spots both day and night.

The system provides precise location of the fire's origin through direct georeferencing on three-dimensional terrain models, without the need for triangulation. It also incorporates weather stations and simulation tools to support response planning.

FAEDO is already operational in areas such as the Sierra del Retín (Cádiz) and on the island of Gran Canaria, where it helps protect large areas of highly environmentally sensitive land.

Likewise, this push for smart prevention transcends national borders. In Latin America, the case of Peru stands out, where Indra collaborates with the space agency CONIDA on a platform that combines satellite imagery and advanced data analysis to anticipate forest fires, floods, and land-use changes.

This system has "significantly" improved the Andean country's ability to plan and respond, especially in remote or vulnerable regions, the company said.

In different contexts , the logic is the same: converting data into useful information and that information into preventive action, the company has emphasized.

Thus, he noted that in a country like Spain, particularly hard hit by forest fires, "technological innovation is not just a tool; it's a necessity to reduce risks, protect the territory, and improve coordination between administrations and emergency services." Rather, it is "a path toward more sustainable, efficient, and resilient territorial management, which turns data into decisions, and decisions into time saved."