As the frequency and severity of wildfires in California increases, fuel breaks and fuel reduction activities are needed to prevent wildfires from becoming catastrophic. California roadways routinely serve such a purpose, and recent government action has emphasized the need to expand these "defensible corridors." Such corridors will serve the dual purpose of increasing public safety by providing escape routes, while providing water quality benefits. Wildfires can degrade water quality in a myriad of ways, however increased sediment loads are one of the most well-documented aquatic impacts of wildfires. By altering the landscape through the loss of vegetation and the development of water-repellent layers in soil, wildfires increase the amount of sediment available for erosion. Recognizing this Caltrans is collaborating with the Water Boards to credit proactive efforts that reduce wildfire risk and severity, and reactive measures that restore the landscape following wildfire events. Caltrans has developed tools to examine a range of potential post-wildfire sediment loads based on known post-wildfire sediment yields, while accounting for multiple factors including wildfire risk as determined by Cal Fire and watershed conditions. The tools are used to illustrate the relationship between predicted impacts of a catastrophic wildfire against background and human controllable sediment loads estimated in North Coast watersheds. This information will help regulators determine which areas are most at risk of experiencing a catastrophic wildfire and the associated water quality degradation-therefore, which roadways Caltrans should prioritize for fuel reduction measures and the appropriate scale of post-wildfire recovery efforts needed.