diff --git a/doc/topics/blackout/index.rst b/doc/topics/blackout/index.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8efb977953
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/topics/blackout/index.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+.. _blackout:
+
+=============================
+Minion Blackout Configuration
+=============================
+
+.. versionadded:: 2016.3.0
+
+Salt supports minion blackouts. When a minion is in blackout mode, all remote
+execution commands are disabled. This allows production minions to be put
+"on hold", eliminating the risk of an untimely configuration change.
+
+Minion blackouts are configured via a special pillar key, ``minion_blackout``.
+If this key is set to ``True``, then the minion will reject all incoming
+commands, except for ``saltutil.refresh_pillar``. (The exception is important,
+so minions can be brought out of blackout mode)
diff --git a/doc/topics/configuration/index.rst b/doc/topics/configuration/index.rst
index 469b77d255..363bffb21e 100644
--- a/doc/topics/configuration/index.rst
+++ b/doc/topics/configuration/index.rst
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ secure and troubleshoot, and how to perform many other administrative tasks.
     ../../ref/configuration/master
     ../../ref/configuration/minion
     ../../ref/configuration/examples
+    ../blackout/index
     ../eauth/access_control
     ../jobs/index
     ../jobs/job_cache