Fuser apparatus having a uniform heat distribution

Fuser apparatus includes a heated fuser member, such as a fuser roller, for fusing a toner image carried by a support moved into contact with the member at a fusing region. The apparatus includes an assembly located in advance of the fusing region and external to the fuser member for maintaining the temperature of the fuser member at the fusing region substantially uniform along the length thereof by redistributing heat from hotter regions to colder regions along the length of the member. The assembly preferably includes a heat pipe which engages the fuser member in advance of the fusing region. The heat pipe may also apply release material to the fuser member and be heated to heat the fuser member.