A method is provided for automatically detecting fires on Earth's surface by satellite. The method includes: acquiring multi-spectral images of the Earth at different times, each a collection of single-spectral images each associated with a respective wavelength, each image being made up of pixels each indicative of a spectral radiance from a respective area of the Earth; computing an adaptive predictive model predicting spectral radiances at a considered time for considered pixels based on previously acquired spectral radiances of the considered pixels and those previously predicted for the considered pixels by the adaptive predictive model; comparing acquired spectral radiances of the considered pixels at a considered time with those predicted at the same considered time for the considered pixels by the adaptive predictive model; and detecting fires or atmospheric phenomena in areas of the Earth's surface or atmosphere corresponding to the considered pixels based on an outcome of the comparison.