- XPRIZE Wildfire announces the advancement of teams in its $11 million global competition, focusing on two main tracks: Space-Based Wildfire Detection & Intelligence and Autonomous Wildfire Response.
- 11 teams from 5 countries advanced as Finalists in the Space-Based track, with $300,000 awarded between six teams, and 15 teams from 7 countries were selected as Semifinalists in the Autonomous Response track, eligible for portions of a $750,000 milestone award.
- The competition, co-sponsored by PG&E (PCG, Financial) and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, will conclude in 2026, with winning teams receiving $3.5M and a $1M bonus prize from Lockheed Martin for exceptional wildfire detection performance.
XPRIZE has announced the advancing teams in its $11 million global competition, co-sponsored by PG&E (PCG) and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. This four-year competition is focused on ending destructive wildfires and features two distinct tracks: Space-Based Wildfire Detection & Intelligence and Autonomous Wildfire Response.
In the Space-Based track, 11 teams from 5 countries have advanced as Finalists. These teams demonstrated outstanding data analytic capabilities, earning a total of $300,000 distributed among six teams for their performances during the semifinals. Their tasks involve accurately detecting and characterizing wildfires across vast landscapes in minimal time, providing crucial data to ground decision-makers.
For the Autonomous Wildfire Response track, 15 teams from 7 countries were selected as Semifinalists. These teams are gearing up for the next phase of the competition, where they can earn portions of a $750,000 milestone award. Their challenge includes autonomously detecting and suppressing high-risk fires in environmentally challenging areas while demonstrating fully autonomous navigation, safety systems, and informed suppression capabilities.
The XPRIZE Wildfire competition seeks to accelerate innovative solutions crucial for managing and mitigating the growing threat of wildfires, a concern acknowledged by global leaders and organizations. The competition will culminate in 2026, with the winning teams from each track receiving $3.5 million. Additionally, Lockheed Martin has pledged a $1 million bonus prize for exceptional performance in wildfire detection.
The competition's sponsors, including Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG, Financial), emphasize the urgent need for innovative technologies and solutions to prevent and manage wildfires effectively. As the advancing teams continue to develop and test their groundbreaking technologies, XPRIZE Wildfire embodies the proactive measures necessary for 21st-century climate resilience and wildfire management.
