now to fig1 through 3 the device and method of the invention is illustrated an oil well wellhead 11 of any known type is shown extending a short distance above the ground surface 12 a wellhead fire or flame 13 rises above wellhead 11 the area of combustion for flame 13 being contiguous to wellhead 11 the heat radiated from this flame 13 will be tremendous and will prevent workers from approaching the wellhead 11 to stem the flow of oil to allow workers access to the wellhead 11 it is necessary to extinguish the flame 13 to accomplish this task a mesh material screen 14 is drawn across the wellhead 11 screen 14 comprises longitudinal cable members 21 and lateral members 22 mechanical reel means 15 and 16 consisting of an uptake reel means 15 and a release reel means 16 are used to draw the screen 14 across the wellhead 11 as shown reel means 15 and 16 are positioned on opposite sides of the wellhead 11 a sufficient distance from the flame 13 so that workers can operate the equipment barriers 17 of concrete or other suitable material may be positioned as shown to provide additional protection or to allow the reel means 15 and 16 to be set up closer to the wellhead 11 reel means 15 and 16 may be of any suitable construction known in the art which will.