AUGUSTA - Maine's fall foliage season began today with the first foliage report from the state Department of Conservation. Officials are forecasting a colorful season based on the current health of Maine's forest.

"With a few localized exceptions, the forest statewide is in good health, thanks to the abundant and relatively well-distributed rain we've had since spring," said Bill Ostrofsky, a forest pathologist with the Maine Forest Service. "The great majority of hardwood trees have carried a full complement of healthy foliage, and appear to be on typical schedule for changing. Overall, I expect leaf coloration to be magnificent once again for this season."

The report also marks the start of the 50th season of tracking foliage color and leaf drop by forest service rangers. Maine's weekly public foliage reports began in 1959 under former Forestry Commissioner Austin Wilkins.

Currently, rangers throughout the state are observing very low leaf color, or less than 10 percent toward peak, along with very low leaf drop. Just recently, overnight temperatures in far northern Maine began dropping to the low 40s and high 30s. Those cool nights and sunny days will spark the gradual change in leaf color from north to south.

Maine's fall foliage conditions will be updated each Wednesday through October 15 at http://www.mainefoliage.com. Visitors to the Web site can sign up to receive the weekly reports by email.