Autumn's changing of the leaves' colors is spreading closer to the Twin Cities area, according to Wednesday's update from state conservation officials.

Near-peak to peak conditions are reported to be as close as Lake Maria State Park in Wright County and Wild River State Park in Chisago County, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

At Lake Maria, maple trees are starting to peak with a variety of reds and oranges, while sumac is at peak color with many shades of red.

At Wild River, maples are peaking now with blazing oranges, yellows and reds. The DNR cautions, however, that a slight wind this weekend might bring a premature end to the visual brilliance.

Elsewhere in the state, the DNR says that the richest colors at this point can be found at its Gooseberry Falls, Temperance River and George Crosby Manitou parks in northeastern Minnesota, and at Itasca State Park near Bemidji.

For more information, visit www.startribune.com/a648.

PAUL WALSH