Innovative Insights: Using innovation and technology to predict devastating debris flows
June 09, 2025
In this episode, listen to three geohazards professionals discuss how they help communities protect against post-wildfire debris flows
In this episode of the Innovative Insights podcast, we speak to three members of our geohazards team about the post-wildfire debris flow risk of mountainous communities. They also highlight how the intersection of innovation and technology can help make our communities safer.
Joining the discussion are Rick Guthrie, vice president for geohazards and geomorphology; Thad Wasklewicz, principal for geohazards and geomorphology; and Caitlin Orem, geomorphologist.
Listen to podcast:?
Share
-
Backed by 30 years of geotechnical experience, Richard leads a group of specialists who provide practical, science-based solutions to reduce the impacts of geohazards on communities, infrastructure, lives, and the environment.
Contact Richard -
Thad is a principal and team leader for 大象传媒’s geohazard and geomorphology services. He applies high-resolution topography and two-dimensional modeling to manage environmental hazards and is an accomplished technical author in geomatics.
Contact Thad -
A geomorphologist based in Colorado, Caitlin applies her 大象传媒 in geomorphology, post-wildfire erosion, geochronology, and stratigraphy to assisting clients with understanding vulnerabilities and risks to their infrastructure and communities.
Contact Caitlin -
Mike brings our innovative ideas and solutions to life, helping our clients and communities address a wide range of challenges with digital technology.
Contact Mike -
Dave is responsible for embedding digital strategy into every facet of the business by integrating emerging technologies, advancing AI adoption, and building scalable digital capabilities that enhance impact, efficiency, and experience.
Contact Dave
{
"headline": "Related Ideas",
"link": {
"text":"View More Ideas",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/market\/environment.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "3edcf112\u002D46cc\u002D4bad\u002D9a02\u002D27b34df03826",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 0 - I’m an Innovator: Using technology to help communities predict debris flows",
"link": {
"text":"I’m an Innovator: Using technology to help communities predict debris flows",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/i\u002Dam\u002Dan\u002Dinnovator\u002Dusing\u002Dtechnology\u002Dto\u002Dhelp\u002Dcommunities\u002Dpredict\u002Ddebris\u002Dflows.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/innovator\u002Ddebrisflow\u002Drick\u002Dguthrie.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "I’m an Innovator: Using technology to help communities predict debris flows",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 1 - How can water risk assessments build redundancy in your water supply?",
"link": {
"text":"How can water risk assessments build redundancy in your water supply?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/how\u002Dcan\u002Dwater\u002Drisk\u002Dassessments\u002Dbuild\u002Dredundancy\u002Dwater\u002Dsupply.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0136\/douglas\u002Ddam\u002Dsurvey\u002D95789.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How can water risk assessments build redundancy in your water supply?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": false,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 2 - ",
"link": {
"text":"",
"url":""
},
"promoImage": "",
"overwriteHeadline": "",
"overwriteSubhead": "",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 3 - Post-wildfire debris flow and large woody debris transport modeling",
"link": {
"text":"Post\u002Dwildfire debris flow and large woody debris transport modeling",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2023\/post\u002Dwildfire\u002Ddebris\u002Dflow\u002Dlarge\u002Dwoody\u002Ddebris\u002Dtransport\u002Dmodeling.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/log\u002Ddebris\u002Dadobestock\u002D303914748.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Post\u002Dwildfire debris flow and large woody debris transport modeling",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 4 - Advancing debris flow hazard and risk assessments with modeling and rainfall intensity data",
"link": {
"text":"Advancing debris flow hazard and risk assessments with modeling and rainfall intensity data",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2023\/advancing\u002Ddebris\u002Dflow\u002Dhazard\u002Drisk\u002Dassessments\u002Dwith\u002Dmodeling\u002Drainfall\u002Dintensity\u002Ddata.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/dfmh8\u002D2023\u002Ddebris\u002Dflow\u002Dhazard\u002Drisk\u002Dassessments.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Advancing debris flow hazard and risk assessments with modeling and rainfall intensity data",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 5 - What does landslide triggering rainfall mean?",
"link": {
"text":"What does landslide triggering rainfall mean?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2023\/what\u002Ddoes\u002Dlandslide\u002Dtriggering\u002Drainfall\u002Dmean.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/dfmh8\u002D2023\u002Dtriggering\u002Drainfall.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "What does landslide triggering rainfall mean?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 6 - Debris flow hazard mapping along linear infrastructure: An agent based mode and GIS approach",
"link": {
"text":"Debris flow hazard mapping along linear infrastructure: An agent based mode and GIS approach",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2023\/debris\u002Dflow\u002Dhazard\u002Dmapping\u002Dalong\u002Dlinear\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dan\u002Dagent\u002Dbased\u002Dmode\u002Dgis\u002Dapproach.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/dfmh8\u002D2023\u002Ddebris\u002Dflow\u002Dmapping.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Debris flow hazard mapping along linear infrastructure: An agent based mode and GIS approach",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 7 - Innovative Insights: Extreme Weather and Digital Solutions",
"link": {
"text":"Innovative Insights: Extreme Weather and Digital Solutions",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2023\/stantec\u002Dio\u002Dpodcast\u002Dextreme\u002Dweather\u002Ddigital\u002Dsolutions.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/extreme\u002Dweather\u002Dadobestock\u002D212000291.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Innovative Insights: Extreme Weather and Digital Solutions",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 8 - Across ever-changing landscapes, technology keeps our pipelines safe from geohazards",
"link": {
"text":"Across ever\u002Dchanging landscapes, technology keeps our pipelines safe from geohazards",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/across\u002Dever\u002Dchanging\u002Dlandscapes\u002Dtechnology\u002Dkeeps\u002Dour\u002Dpipelines\u002Dsafe\u002Dfrom\u002Dgeohazards.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/023\/pipeline\u002Dadobestock\u002D213989936.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Across ever\u002Dchanging landscapes, technology keeps our pipelines safe from geohazards",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 9 - Simulation of some debris flows in Klanawa watershed in Vancouver, British Columbia",
"link": {
"text":"Simulation of some debris flows in Klanawa watershed in Vancouver, British Columbia",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2022\/simulation\u002Dof\u002Dsome\u002Ddebris\u002Dflows\u002Din\u002Dklanawa\u002Dwatershed\u002Din\u002Dvancouver\u002Dbritish\u002Dcolumbia.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/ucluelet\u002Dbc\u002Dadobestock\u002D187800401.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Simulation of some debris flows in Klanawa watershed in Vancouver, British Columbia",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 10 - A comparison of two runout programs for debris flow assessment at the Solalex-Anzeindaz region of Switzerland",
"link": {
"text":"A comparison of two runout programs for debris flow assessment at the Solalex\u002DAnzeindaz region of Switzerland",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2022\/a\u002Dcomparison\u002Dof\u002Dtwo\u002Drunout\u002Dprograms\u002Dfor\u002Ddebris\u002Dflow\u002Dassessment\u002Dsolalex\u002Danzeindaz\u002Dregion\u002Dswitzerland.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/debrisflow\u002Dsolalex\u002Danzeindaz\u002Dswitzerland.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "A comparison of two runout programs for debris flow assessment at the Solalex\u002DAnzeindaz region of Switzerland",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": false,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 11 - ",
"link": {
"text":"",
"url":""
},
"promoImage": "",
"overwriteHeadline": "",
"overwriteSubhead": "",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 12 - Lessons learned from the local calibration of a debris flow model and importance to a geohazard assessment",
"link": {
"text":"Lessons learned from the local calibration of a debris flow model and importance to a geohazard assessment",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2022\/lessons\u002Dlearned\u002Dfrom\u002Dthe\u002Dlocal\u002Dcalibration\u002Dof\u002Da\u002Ddebris\u002Dflow\u002Dmodel\u002Dimportance\u002Dto\u002Dgeohazard\u002Dassessment.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/landslide\u002Dadobestock\u002D132304221.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Lessons learned from the local calibration of a debris flow model and importance to a geohazard assessment",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 13 - Informing zoning ordinance decision-making with the aid of probabilistic debris flow modeling",
"link": {
"text":"Informing zoning ordinance decision\u002Dmaking with the aid of probabilistic debris flow modeling",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2022\/informing\u002Dzoning\u002Dordinance\u002Ddecision\u002Dmaking\u002Dwith\u002Dthe\u002Daid\u002Dof\u002Dprobabilistic\u002Ddebris\u002Dflow\u002Dmodeling.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/forest\u002Dfire\u002Dadobestock\u002D256455014.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Informing zoning ordinance decision\u002Dmaking with the aid of probabilistic debris flow modeling",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": false,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 14 - ",
"link": {
"text":"",
"url":""
},
"promoImage": "",
"overwriteHeadline": "",
"overwriteSubhead": "",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 15 - Following the flames: Preparing for landslides in wildfire country",
"link": {
"text":"Following the flames: Preparing for landslides in wildfire country",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2021\/following\u002Dthe\u002Dflames\u002Dpreparing\u002Dfor\u002Dlandslides\u002Din\u002Dwildfire\u002Dcountry.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/019\/forest\u002Dfire\u002Dadobestock\u002D368938384.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Following the flames: Preparing for landslides in wildfire country",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 16 - A probabilistic model for assessing debris flow propagation at regional scale: a case study in Campania region, Italy",
"link": {
"text":"A probabilistic model for assessing debris flow propagation at regional scale: a case study in Campania region, Italy",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2021\/a\u002Dprobabilistic\u002Dmodel\u002Dfor\u002Dassessing\u002Ddebris\u002Dflow\u002Dpropagation\u002Dat\u002Dregional\u002Dscale\u002Dcase\u002Dstudy\u002Dcampania\u002Ditaly.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/debris\u002Dflow\u002Dcampagnia\u002Dsouthern\u002Ditaly.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "A probabilistic model for assessing debris flow propagation at regional scale: a case study in Campania region, Italy",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": false,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 17 - ",
"link": {
"text":"",
"url":""
},
"promoImage": "",
"overwriteHeadline": "",
"overwriteSubhead": "",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 18 - A new digital tool can help predict landslides, protecting people and infrastructure",
"link": {
"text":"A new digital tool can help predict landslides, protecting people and infrastructure",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2021\/a\u002Dnew\u002Ddigital\u002Dtool\u002Dcan\u002Dhelp\u002Dpredict\u002Dlandslides\u002Dprotecting\u002Dpeople\u002Dand\u002Dinfrastructure.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/018\/landslide\u002Dadobestock\u002D169603360.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "A new digital tool can help predict landslides, protecting people and infrastructure",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 19 - Making it easier to protect streams",
"link": {
"text":"Making it easier to protect streams",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2020\/making\u002Dit\u002Deasier\u002Dto\u002Dprotect\u002Dstreams.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/016\/making\u002Dit\u002Deasier\u002Dprotect\u002Dstreams\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Making it easier to protect streams",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 20 - Published in Innovation: Courting Disaster: The Increasing Challenges of Risk Assessment",
"link": {
"text":"Published in Innovation: Courting Disaster: The Increasing Challenges of Risk Assessment",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2019\/published\u002Din\u002Dinnovation\u002Dcourting\u002Ddisaster\u002Dthe\u002Dincreasing\u002Dchallenges\u002Dof\u002Drisk\u002Dassessment.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/001\/innovation\u002Dcourting\u002Ddisaster\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Published in Innovation: Courting Disaster: The Increasing Challenges of Risk Assessment",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}