COLUMBUS, OH -- Fall colors remain "fair" across most of Ohio's woodlands this week, with foresters predicting a rapid change to "near-peak" conditions in coming days, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

"Mother Nature is getting ready to make her move," said Bill Schultz, fall color spokesman with the ODNR Division of Forestry. "Green remains the most prevalent color in our woodlots this week, but change is coming very quickly and most areas should be near peak by mid October - just as we said they would be."

Special fall color events are scheduled this weekend for the following: Cleveland Lakefront State Park in Cuyahoga County, Quail Hollow State Park in Stark County, Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County, Marblehead Lighthouse State Park in Ottawa County, West Branch State Park in Portage County, Stonelick State Park in Clermont County, Mary Jane Thurston State Park in Wood County, Kiser Lake State Park in Champaign County and Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County.

Fall campouts are slated for Blue Rock State Park in Muskingum County, Findley State Park in Lorain County, Buck Creek State Park in Clark County, East Harbor State Park in Ottawa County, Harrison Lake State Park in Fulton County, Cowan Lake State Park in Clinton County, Rocky Fork State Park in Highland County, and Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County.

To help Ohioans and out-of-state visitors make the most of this popular outdoor season, weekly updates are available from the best fall color viewing locations across the state by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE. Users can also find fall color information on the Internet at ohiodnr.com.

Ohio's 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 125 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to sample fall foliage. Here are the most current reports from selected locations: