JACKSON, Mississippi – Entergy Mississippi has de-energized distribution lines that serve approximately 179 customers in Lawrence County near Monticello – due to the spreading wildfire in the area. The temporary power outage is expected to last until approximately 7 p.m., though the outage could be extended until conditions and facilities are safe. The burning fire has reached a portion of the grid, and this required safety measure helps lower the risk of further fueling the active wildfire.  

“Safety is our priority as we respond to the impacts of the wildfire,” said Kamisha Quates, Entergy Mississippi’s vice president of reliability. “We’ve proactively de-energized some powerlines that are in the line of fire and are working with local and state officials to help safeguard the communities we serve near Monticello. Wildfires are dangerous, and this safety measure can help prevent our lines and equipment from being an added hazard. We urge our customers to use extreme caution if the wildfire is expected to reach their location.  Moreover, if our customers are using portable generators, then they should take all appropriate safety measures.” 

Customers should stay informed and safety aware. 

Customers should always follow their local or state orders in case of an emergency and observe any statewide or partial burn bans in place. For restoration notifications, will make every attempt to contact customers who have signed up to get our alerts by phone, text and/or email. For updated restoration information, use the Entergy app or visit our View Outage map. 

• Verify your contact information with us to ensure you receive timely and urgent messages.  

• Notifications: Sign up to stay informed. 

• Entergy App: Download the free mobile app. 

• Storm Center: Be prepared and stay safe. 

• Social media: Follow us for updates. 

We restore power carefully and cautiously when it is safe to do so. 

Entergy Mississippi’s distribution lines that serve customers in Lawrence County near Monticello have been taken offline to safeguard lives, property and equipment in the area. Distribution lines are lower voltage lines that run throughout cities and neighborhoods and serve most customers. Only customers served by the de-energized lines will be affected, and power typically can be restored quickly after the danger passes – assuming the lines are not damaged.  

If multiple electric lines are de-energized for safety purposes, we must work carefully and cautiously to avoid overloading our grid by restoring power to everyone at the same time: 

• When an outage occurs, restoring all the customers on a given feeder (power conductor line) has the potential to create large, instantaneous power demands.  

• And that power demand could be higher than what the built-in protective devices on a line can handle, meaning equipment could trip offline or cause more damage. 

• Rather than simply energizing an entire power line all at once, we must bring customers back online one section at a time to ensure public safety and avoid damage to the power grid. 

• During extreme temperatures, hot or cold, customers tend to use a lot of electricity, either keeping the heat or air conditioning on or other devices running.  

• And when power is disrupted, many customers leave their HVAC systems and appliances turned on, creating too much energy demand all at once when we try to restore power. 

• We have devices in place that are designed to protect our system during times of normal, day-to-day operations and power demand and most weather and other contingencies.  

• But during weather extremes, we must implement processes to make sure we protect our system and also do the right thing by our customers. That means restoring power in a way that best ensures safety and reliability for them as well as our employees. 

Find additional safety resources on our Storm Center, including how to safely use a generator: 

• Get prepared: Make a plan, make a kit. 

• Your mobile phone: A lifeline during a disaster. 

• Stay informed: Download the app, register for notifications. 

• Customers with medical needs: Plan ahead to ensure your safety. 

• Extreme heat: Know the signs of heat illness. 

• Food safety: Avoid loss of food and risk of illness. 

Find more information by visiting, entergy.com/wildfires. 

Media inquiries: 

Tamica Smith Jeuitt 

[email protected]