It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic The Mount gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Mt Holly, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis”
“Very easy to work with and set up care plan for my mother.”
“The service is excellent. The staff is really great. I love Working with Always Best”
“Fabulous team to work with. The best care senior service to work with. Especially Kendra,”
“Always Best Care has provided 24 / 7 Live in care for my mother. They”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis”
“Fabulous team to work with. The Best of the Best...... We know that when we”
“They are phenomenal!! Took great care of my not so easy Mom. They have ur”
“Great team to work with!!”
“I would like to recommend Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater South Jersey.. a”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”
“Very easy to work with and set up care plan for my mother.”
“The service is excellent. The staff is really great. I love Working with Always Best Care because they take care of their employees. They work with you to see what hours you could work. When ever I have a emergency and I can not make it they find coverage. They give cases that are most of the time good with you. They work around my schedule. I love Working with ABC.”
“Fabulous team to work with. The best care senior service to work with. Especially Kendra, she is always available and always willing to help anyway she can and will go out of her way to make the patient and family’s experience 100x better. When our families are looking for additional care I know I can count on Always Best Care, to always give their very best. Big thank you to Kendra, Kerry and staff.”
“Always Best Care has provided 24 / 7 Live in care for my mother. They have taken very good care of my mother and I look forward to them continuing my mother’s care.”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”
“Always Best Care is a great co host to a beautiful summer celebration at Artis Senior Living of Evesham”
“Fabulous team to work with. The Best of the Best...... We know that when we refer our families to this "Wonderful" Company that they will take exceptional care of our clients.... Thank you Tammi, Kerri, Kendra and staff..”
“They are phenomenal!! Took great care of my not so easy Mom. They have ur back!!”
“Great team to work with!!”
“I would like to recommend Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater South Jersey.. a Veteran and Woman owned Company.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Mill Dam Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Local Eatery and Pub or visit Iron Works Hill, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Mt Holly, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Mt Holly, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Mt Holly, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The large corporate Multi-State Operator (MSO) Verano made a unique deal to open the Zen Leaf Mount Holly dispensary in Burlington County, their 4th in New Jersey.There are already 3 locally owned dispensaries operating in the modestly sized town.According to the corporation’s press release, “the Company’s new Mount Holly location will join all Zen Leaf locations in the Garden State in offering d...
The large corporate Multi-State Operator (MSO) Verano made a unique deal to open the Zen Leaf Mount Holly dispensary in Burlington County, their 4th in New Jersey.
There are already 3 locally owned dispensaries operating in the modestly sized town.
According to the corporation’s press release, “the Company’s new Mount Holly location will join all Zen Leaf locations in the Garden State in offering daily promotions including a standing 22% discount for Veterans, as well as discounted rates for seniors, college students, and more.”
They say they want to offer a discount of “30% off on select Avexia™, BITS™, Savvy™, Verano™, and (the) Essence™ items.”
The place was formerly a Burger King.
Most of the products they sell are their brands. For example, their flower menu consists mostly of their own brands. The only others are Illicit by Illicit Gardens of Missouri, which took over Harmony and got a license, and Garden Greens, one of the largest local growers.
“We are thrilled to open Zen Leaf Mount Holly,” said Verano CEO George Archos in a press release. “Zen Leaf Mount Holly broadens our retail footprint in the growing New Jersey market.”
Zen Leaf Holly so far has had a quieter soft opening. They want to hold a Grand Opening on Black Friday next week.
As a Treatment Center (ATC), Zen Leaf had medical dispensaries in Elizabeth in Union County, Neptune in Monmouth County, and Lawrence Township in Mercer County. They converted to recreational adult-use cannabis sales, which was renewed at the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s (NJCRC’s) June meeting.
Zen Leaf is one of the largest MSO dispensaries in the State.
The opening of the recreational adult-use New Jersey cannabis market was held at the Elizabeth Zen Leaf dispensary in April 2022 and demonstrated the nature of their influence.
According to their press release they have a, “state-of-the-art 120,000 square foot cultivation and processing facility in Branchburg. The company produces its signature Verano™ Reserve flower, Swift Lift™ pre-roll joints and vapes; (the) Essence™ and Savvy flower, edibles and vapes. On the Rocks™ Live Rosin vapes and extracts; BITS™ low-dose high-function edibles. And Avexia™ RSO, topicals, tablets and tinctures.”
It is traded as a publicly owned company as (Cboe CA: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNOF). They say they are “one of the U.S. cannabis industry’s leading companies based on historical revenue, geographic scope, and brand performance, is a vertically integrated, Multi-State Operator.”
The release said Veranos owns “the Zen Leaf™ and MÜV™ dispensary banners, including Cabbage Club™, an innovative annual membership program offering exclusive benefits for cannabis consumers.”
They noted they own the brands (the) Essence™, MÜV™, Savvy™, BITS™, Encore™, and Avexia™.
The Verano press also said they operatre in 14 states with “15 production facilities with over 1.1 million square feet of cultivation capacity.”
According to a spokesperson for the NJCRC, “Verano NJ is a part owner of Zen Leaf Mount Holly. However, the retail location operates as a separate entity outside of Verano’s vertical structure and three-location limit for Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs). This complies with statutory guidelines. Which allows for existing entities to be part-owners of up to 35% interest of a diversely owned retail establishment under certain conditions.”
The NJCRC issued Zen Leaf Mount Holly annual dispensary license needed to open at their October meeting.
The NJCRC sent their award letter to the hustle of Zen Leaf Mount Holly to James Leventis. He is the Executive Vice President of Verano Zen Leaf, is based in Chicago, IL, according to his LinkedIn.
Zen Leaf is based in Illinois.
The letters almost always go to the majority owner.
The press release did not reference any figure but Verano CEO George Archos.
A bill passed by the New Jersey legislature might have allowed this sort of hustle. But it was intended for minority, women, and disabled-owned companies could find investors. They qualify as “diversely owned.”
Access to capital or money for struggling companies remains a problem his bill did not solve. The NJ Economic Development Authority (EDA ) gave several companies grants but will not disclose the list. They also have not said when more grants will be available.
Zen Leaf has been fined more than once for ignoring medical cannabis patient regulations to prioritize them. Like many MSOs, they have issues. Underground legacy operators and cannabis consumers have accused them of selling overpriced, mediocre cannabis products or mids for years. Like most MSOs.
But many of the merely canna-curious likely don’t know the difference between an MSO selling overpriced mids and a locally owned dispensary selling craft cannabis.
MH already has Mass Grown, Fire and Oak, and Voltaire Cannabis dispensaries open. The mainstream media company radio station 101.5.com noted this as well earlier this year in March.
Unlike Zen Leaf, all three are owned by Jersey residents.
While the great legal cannabis dispensary deserts in New Jersey have happily shrunk, making it easier for consumers and medical marijuana patients.
However, great clusters have developed in several towns, which might help consumers but likely will hurt the smallest companies. In many towns, dispensaries are too close to each other.
It’s difficult. The intense competition is going to put those with less income, cash, and marketing experience out of business.
The MSOs are not the only sorts of companies that want to open dispensary chains.
A lot of New Jersey cannabis dispensaries want more than one location.
New Jersey has certain rules limiting the growth of chains to stop one large MSO from completely dominating the market.
So, in one common deal, one person will be the majority shareholder owner in Dispensary A. Then a person with less than 51 percent of ownership of Dispensary A is the majority shareholder in Dispensary B.
It is a goal of several New Jersey cannabis dispensary entrepreneurs, including locals, women, and minorities.
Some, in fact, already have their Dispensary B, or it’s in the works.
It’s called “ZEN LEAF MOUNT HOLLY, LLC” on their cannabis dispensary license. So it seems they have one of those deals.
Cannabis company, Verano Holdings Corp. on Friday announced the opening of Zen Leaf Mount Holly. The new retail locatio...
Cannabis company, Verano Holdings Corp. on Friday announced the opening of Zen Leaf Mount Holly. The new retail location raises the company’s footprint to four dispensaries in New Jersey and 153 retail locations nationwide.
Located at 600 High Street, Zen Leaf will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Zen Leaf Mount Holly will offer doorbuster deals, including buy one get ones, mix-n-matches, and up to 30% off on select Avexia™, BITS™, Savvy™, Verano™ and (the) Essence™ items.
Additionally, the new Mount Holly location will join all Zen Leaf locations in the Garden State in offering daily promotions including a standing 22% discount for Veterans, as well as discounted rates for seniors, college students, and more.
AND on Nov. 29, Zen Leaf Mount Holly will host a special Black Friday grand opening celebration and ceremonial ribbon cutting, where guests can enjoy free coffee and donuts, product deals and discounts, local food truck fare, merchandise giveaways, a DJ and photobooth, and onsite glassblowing demonstration.
“We are thrilled to open Zen Leaf Mount Holly, our first location in South Jersey and fourth dispensary in the Garden State,” George Archos, Verano founder and chief executive officer, said. “Zen Leaf Mount Holly broadens our retail footprint in the growing New Jersey market, and we look forward to offering our wide variety of award-winning products, our Cabbage Club membership program, and an exceptional experience for local cannabis consumers.”
Zen Leaf Mount Holly adds another convenient location for South Jersey cannabis consumers, in addition to Zen Leaf Neptune, Zen Leaf Lawrence and Zen Leaf Elizabeth. Verano’s operations in New Jersey include a state-of-the-art 120,000 square foot cultivation and processing facility in Branchburg, where the company produces its signature Verano™ Reserve flower, Swift Lift™ pre-roll joints and vapes; (the) Essence™ and Savvy flower, edibles and vapes; On the Rocks™ Live Rosin vapes and extracts; BITS™ low-dose high-function edibles; and Avexia™ RSO, topicals, tablets and tinctures.
The entire state is under a Red Flag Warning as this record-breaking dry spell continues. Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff|Updated Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 10:17 am ETNEW JERSEY — All of New Jersey is under a Red Flag Warning on Friday for potential"explosive" fire growth fueled by the ongoing drought, forecasters and officials said.State Forest Fire crews have responded to several othe...
Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff
|Updated Fri, Nov 8, 2024 at 10:17 am ET
NEW JERSEY — All of New Jersey is under a Red Flag Warning on Friday for potential"explosive" fire growth fueled by the ongoing drought, forecasters and officials said.
State Forest Fire crews have responded to several other major wildfires this week as drought conditions worsen across the state. Friday's gusty winds and very low humidity mean that any outdoor fires can spread quickly and become difficult to control, the National Weather Service said.
There will be a risk of rapid fire spread from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday with the greatest danger during the afternoon, according to the NWS office in Mount Holly.
Westerly winds of 10-20 miles per hour are expected throughout the day, with gusts up to 30 miles per hour.
Parts of South Jersey and the Shore are in an "extreme drought" condition, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report. The rest of the state remains in moderate or severe drought.
The weather office and Forest Fire Service ask residents to follow burn restrictions, properly dispose of cigarette butts and matches, and be careful with any equipment that may cause sparks.
"With a lack of rain over the last month or so, very dry fuels are in place," NWS forecasters said.
Mandatory statewide Stage 3 fire restrictions remain in effect. All fires are banned unless they are contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas or electricity. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed, and the use of kerosene or gas torches of any kind is prohibited, officials said.
The fire ban is in place on all public lands and private properties in all municipalities throughout the state, officials said.
The Forest Fire Service responded to 507 incidents statewide in October, which was New Jersey's driest on record. There had been 934 wildfire responses in 2024 as of Oct. 23, consuming more than 6,700 acres of forest.
Bill Donnelly, State Forest Firewarden and Chief of the Forest Fire Service, told Patch that anything can set off a fire right now because of the extremely dry conditions.
"We need the public to be extra careful," he said. "Running lawnmowers, discarding fireplace ashes, anything could spark a fire."
Donnelly spoke to Patch's Karen Wall at the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company in Jackson, which is the command post for the Forest Fire Service as it battles the "Shotgun" Wildfire that has burned at least 350 acres.
"Our guys have been going nonstop for about five weeks now," Donnelly said Wednesday, adding that the consistent fire calls started in August.
The NJFFS has both full-time and part-time firefighters, but the relentless nature of the fires is taking a toll.
"Some of these guys get home to take a break and get some sleep, and 20 minutes later they're called out to another fire," Donnelly said, referring to the firewardens who are responsible for being the first eyes at fires in their assigned areas.
A wildfire that broke out in Burlington County on Thursday threatened more than 100 homes, and had grown to 200 acres as of the latest Forest Fire Service update.
And on Friday morning, officials reported another wildfire along the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs. Henry Hudson Drive is currently closed, and crews did not expect the fire to expand "significantly" in size.
This current dry spell also broke records at two New Jersey airports this week, the NWS Mount Holly office said.
Both Trenton International Airport and Atlantic City International Airport have gone without measurable rainfall (meaning anything more than a trace) for over a month. On Thursday, both broke records for consecutive days without measurable rainfall.
The 34-day record in Atlantic City was set in 1995, and Trenton's record of 38 days without measurable rainfall had been set all the way back in 1865.
At Newark Liberty International Airport, meanwhile, the record of 28 days was broken back in late October. A press officer with the NWS office in New York told Patch that Friday marked 39 consecutive days without measurable rainfall.
There is a chance of rainfall across the Garden State this weekend, forecasters said — which won't be enough to put a real dent in the drought conditions, but will provide some relief.
Significant rainfall - such as that from a tropical storm - is needed in order to fully quell drought conditions.
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