We used field-based case studies to examine how spatial heterogeneity influences the response of river corridors to changes in water and sediment fluxes after wildfire. Spatial heterogeneity describes the degree to which a river corridor differs from a spatially uniform feature. Biogeomorphic processes, especially those that involve beaver (Castor canadensis) dams and large wood in the channel and floodplain, both influence and respond to spatial heterogeneity. These feedbacks can in turn strongly influence the degree to which a river corridor is resistant, resilient, or sensitive (RRS) to wildfires. A resistant system experiences little change in process or form following a disturbance. A resilient system absorbs disturbances without diminishing or changing process or form. A sensitive system undergoes persistent change following disturbance. Just as spatial heterogeneity can be characterized with respect to different spatial scales in a river network or river corridor, so different components of a river corridor can vary in their response to disturbance. Consequently, spatial scale and the specific process or landform under consideration will strongly influence designation of RRS. We drew two inferences from the case studies: (1) Reach-scale details of spatial heterogeneity and biogeomorphic feedbacks can be important in determining both reach-scale and network-scale responses to major disturbances such as wildfire, and (2) because of the potential for biogeomorphic feedbacks that either attenuate or exacerbate postfire inputs to river corridors, protecting and fostering reach-scale spatial heterogeneity and the biota involved in biogeomorphic feedbacks can increase river network resilience to wildfire.