Detecting fires by comparing a reference spectrum to a a current spectrum

Disclosed is a system for the automatic detection of forest fires through optic spectroscopy. The system comprises an optical system for the detection of the electromagnetic radiation originated from the observed horizon, composed of a mirror (1) with 360 degree rotation and azimuth adjustment, which redirects the light collected from the horizon. The mirror is mounted over the main lens of a telescope (2) with a modified eyepiece so that the light gathered is transmitted by means of an optical fiber (3). The automatic detection system further comprises a spectrometer (4) for carrying out the atmospheric chemical analysis from the electromagnetic radiation detected; an optical fiber for the optical connection between the spectrometer and the optical detection system; and an autonomous system for the analysis of the electromagnetic radiation spectra for identification of smoke originated from fires. The autonomous system identifies the smoke by comparison between the spectra measured at the moment and a reference spectra. A further system is included to determine the distance to the smoke by focusing the telescope at the location in the horizon where the intensity of the smoke signal is the greatest.