When a fixing device becomes uncontrollable and a large amount of electric
power is continuously supplied to the heater, concentration of mechanical
stress on a heater is suppressed, whereby shear fracture of the heater is
prevented from occurring. A longitudinal region of the heater in which a
heat generation resistive member is provided is supported by a heater
support surface of a heater holder, and an opposed surface of the heater
holder that is opposed to a longitudinal region of the heater in which
the heat generation resistive member is not provided is designed not to
be in contact with the heater.