The Munich startup Ororatech, a specialist in satellite-based environmental monitoring, is supporting Colombia in implementing a national, satellite-based monitoring system for the early detection of forest fires. As part of the national disaster risk management system (UNGRDColombia is the first country in Latin America to implement this form of environmental protection, utilizing Ororatech's technology. Through its local partner Geo Spatial, the Colombian government is employing a combination of satellite data and artificial intelligence to detect fires in near real-time and combat them more quickly.
The program uses the "Wildfire Solution (WFS)" platform from Ororatech It combines thermal satellite imagery with AI-powered analysis to deliver real-time alerts, maps, and risk analyses. The goal is to monitor vulnerable regions, secure protected areas, and significantly reduce response times to fires.
Ororatech's early warning system for the protection of people and nature
Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with almost half of its land area located in the Amazon rainforest. Forest fires there threaten not only rare animal and plant species, but also local communities. With this new system, the government aims to modernize its disaster prevention measures and preserve biodiversity for the long term.
Ana Milena Prada, Deputy Director for Knowledge Management at UNGRD, explains:
"Through this partnership, Colombia strengthens its risk assessment capabilities by building a modern infrastructure for detecting and monitoring forest fires, protecting our population, environment, and biodiversity. The system improves the work of institutions because it identifies early threats and enables rapid responses – even in the most remote regions of the country."
More than 700 emergency responders from the national disaster management system have already been trained in using the platform. Ororatech's Customer Success Team conducted training sessions in Bogotá in May 2025, testing real-world case studies and workflows under Colombian conditions. The UNGRD supplemented this with an additional 15 training sessions, both online and in-person, to establish the application nationwide.
Technology from Munich to protect the Amazon
Ororatech was founded in Munich and specializes in satellite-based environmental monitoring. The Munich-based startup develops systems that detect forest fires worldwide at an early stage and support decision-makers with precise, real-time data. To achieve this, the WFS platform processes thermal data from more than 30 public and private satellites and creates dynamic maps of current fire hotspots.
Martin Langer, CEO and CTO of Ororatech, says:
“We are protecting the Amazon rainforest in a way that was not possible before the use of our technology. Together with the UNGRD, we are rolling out our solutions nationwide, setting a milestone in forest fire management in Latin America.”
With this program, Colombia is taking a pioneering role in the protection of natural resources and in the use of modern technologies for disaster prevention – supported by know-how from Munich.
